Bhubaneswar: Headmaster of Kakabandha Ashram school in Rasgovindpur block was suspended after a Class V girl student died on Tuesday morning while undergoing treatment at the ICU of Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital (PRMMCH) in Odisha’s Baripada.
The deceased has been identified as Rupali Beshra.
Nearly 140 students of the government tribal residential school in Mayurbhanj district were admitted to Rasgovindpur community health centre (CHC) following a suspected diarrhoea outbreak on April 12. Over 50 among them were shifted to PRMMCH a day later as their condition deteriorated.
According to sources, the students, studying in Classes I to VIII at the Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste Welfare Department-managed school, which houses around 240-290 boarders, complained of symptoms including stomach pain, vomiting, loose motions, and headache shortly after their morning meal.
Headmaster Jayant Kumar Panigrahi, who also serves as the hostel superintendent, had then contended that the students were served pakhala (fermented rice), potato chutney, and fried items as per the prescribed menu. However, Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Malati Marndi, who visited the site, noted a discrepancy as upma was listed on the official menu. She added that some students had skipped previous meals, possibly exacerbating their condition.
Parents accused hostel staff of serving leftover food and failing to act promptly, alleging that the headmaster called an ambulance at 3.30 pm after they reached the hostel.
The student’s death triggered tension at the medical college with parents seeking action against the negligent headmaster and staff of the school. The protestors also demanded Rs 25 lakh for the bereaved family. While police have been deployed to maintain law and order and district administration officials have also reached the hospital.
Meanwhile, Additional District Magistrate informed that the headmaster has been suspended and an inquiry team has been formed to probe the matter. An ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh has also been announced for the family of the deceased student.
