Rayagada: Tension gripped Muniguda area of Odisha’s Rayagada district on Wednesday after a Class VII student succumbed to severe burn injuries following a 48-day battle for life.
The death of Biren Takri has triggered protests by locals in front of Paikadakuluguda Unnita Uchcha Vidyalaya under Muniguda police limits alleging neglect by school and hospital, where the accident had occurred. Biren’s family and villagers kept his dead body in front of the school demanding compensation.
According to sources, the incident dates back to January 5, when a fellow student allegedly threw thinner into a fire inside the school premises. The sudden blaze left 4 students injured, with Biren suffering the most critical burns. He was rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, where he remained under treatment for nearly 7 weeks before passing away on Tuesday afternoon.
When news of his death got circulated, angry villagers and family members of the deceased boy staged demonstration outside the school, demanding strict action against those responsible. Protesters alleged negligence on the part of the school authorities and called for a thorough investigation into how such a dangerous incident could occur within the campus.
