Tragedy Strikes Odisha Residential School: One Student Dead, Over 100 Ill in Suspected Food Poisoning Incident
A devastating incident of suspected food poisoning has claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl and left more than 100 other students severely ill at a government-run residential school in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district. The tragedy unfolded after the children consumed a meal that included stale, leftover items served in violation of the mandated nutritional menu.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The deceased student has been identified as Rupali Besra, a Class 5 pupil at Kakabandh Ashram School in Rasgovindpur. This institution operates under the state's Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes welfare department. Rupali had been undergoing treatment at the PRM Medical College and Hospital in Baripada since Monday, suffering from severe diarrhoea and persistent vomiting. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her condition on Tuesday.
According to Mayurbhanj district collector Hemakant Say, approximately 150 hostel residents who ate the contaminated food on Sunday morning began experiencing symptoms of loose motion and vomiting shortly afterward. The students were initially rushed to a local health centre for emergency care.
"Some students received preliminary treatment and were discharged, but those whose conditions deteriorated were transferred to PRM Medical College and Hospital on Monday," explained Collector Say. "Rupali was being treated in the Intensive Care Unit. Currently, 60 students remain under treatment at PRM, while 40 others are recovering at the Rasgovindpur health centre."
Violation of Nutritional Guidelines and Immediate Fallout
Investigations reveal a shocking disregard for established protocols. The department mandates a fixed, nutrient-rich menu for all residential students. For Sunday breakfast, the scheduled items were upma and curry. However, sources indicate that instead, students were served leftover pakhala (fermented rice), saga bhaja (fried green leaves), and aloo bharta that had been prepared the previous day.
In response to the tragedy, the local administration has suspended the school's headmaster, Jayanta Kumar Panigrahi. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an ex gratia payment of ₹3 lakh for Rupali's grieving family. However, the family members, who staged protests outside the hospital and near Jaleswar, are demanding a compensation of ₹25 lakh, alleging gross negligence by school authorities and questioning the overall quality of food provided to students.
Political Reactions and Official Assurances
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and prompted visits from senior government officials. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das condemned the event, stating, "This case points to gross negligence and a serious systematic failure. Those responsible must be held accountable, and immediate action is essential to ensure student safety."
Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra visited the hospital to assess the situation. "Children's health must not be compromised," he asserted. "Any negligence in maintaining food quality and hygiene will be thoroughly investigated. Strict action will be taken against those found responsible for this incident."
This tragic event underscores critical concerns about food safety and administrative oversight in government residential schools, sparking calls for stringent measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
