Class X Student Dies Mysteriously in Ganjam Ahead of Board Exams
A tragic incident has struck a residential school in Khallikote, Ganjam district, as a Class X student died under mysterious circumstances on Sunday. The deceased, identified as Mihir Pradhan, aged 15 and hailing from Bhagalpur, was a student who had been residing in the school hostel for the past three years. This heartbreaking event occurred merely four days before the commencement of the school board examinations scheduled to begin on February 19.
Details of the Incident
According to sources, Mihir, along with other students, went for a routine morning walk in the town as part of their daily activities. However, while returning to the hostel, he suddenly collapsed on the way. Teachers and fellow students immediately rushed him to the community health centre in Khallikote. Despite prompt medical attention, doctors at the centre declared him dead upon arrival.
School principal Karunakar Patnaik provided further context, explaining that 84 hostel inmates from classes VIII to X, accompanied by two teachers, had visited one of their campuses located at Laxmi Narayanpur, approximately 2 km away, to observe Maha Shivaratri. After completing the prayer session, the group was en route back to the hostel when Mihir fainted unexpectedly. "We took him to the hospital in an auto, where doctors declared him dead," Patnaik stated.
Police Investigation and Official Response
Ramesh Chandra Pradhan, inspector-in-charge of Khallikote police station, confirmed that an unnatural death case has been registered, and a thorough investigation is underway. "The exact cause of his death would be clear only after getting the autopsy report," he emphasized. The post-mortem was conducted at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur to determine the underlying reasons for this sudden demise.
In response to the tragedy, local authorities swiftly intervened. Khallikote MLA Purna Chandra Sethi and tehsildar Maleswar Patra visited the hospital to console the grieving parents of the deceased student, offering support during this difficult time.
School's Stance and Exam Preparations
Principal Patnaik highlighted that Mihir had not reported any health issues to the teachers prior to the incident and appeared to be a normal student. He also addressed concerns about academic pressure, noting that the school did not exert undue stress on students regarding the upcoming high school certificate examinations. "To make them feel relaxed, the authorities took them for prayer ahead of the annual exams," Patnaik added, underscoring the school's efforts to maintain a supportive environment.
This incident has cast a shadow over the educational community in Ganjam, raising questions about student well-being and safety protocols in residential schools. As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on uncovering the precise cause of Mihir's untimely death, with the autopsy report expected to provide crucial insights.
