A Class 5 student passed away on Tuesday, two days after consuming a meal at a government-run tribal residential school in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. Officials reported that more than 100 of her schoolmates also fell ill after eating the food. Following this, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Mahi ordered a probe, officials said.
Official authorities stated that students at the Kakabandha Ashram School began complaining of severe discomfort following a Sunday morning meal that consisted of items not included in the school’s “authorised menu.”
According to parents of the affected children, the students were served fermented rice (pakhala), mashed potatoes, and mango chutney. Shortly after, the children began suffering from vomiting and loose motions.
The outbreak affected over 100 students, all of whom were rushed to a local community health centre. Officials noted that 67 of these students were subsequently transferred to the PMR Medical College and Hospital in Baripada after their health condition worsened, officials said.
“Rupali Besra, a student of Class 5, had to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital on Monday. Despite continuous medical intervention, she died on Tuesday morning,” said Mayurbhanj district collector Hema Kanta Say.
The officer also said, “At present, 66 students are undergoing treatment at the hospital, while another 41 are admitted at the community health centre. One medical team has been sent to the health centre while another is camping at the school.”
The District Collector also mentioned that some students are still being admitted to the hospital as symptoms persist.
“Besides the police probe, we will conduct an independent inquiry, as it was alleged that the headmaster had served food that was not mentioned in the menu. Action will be taken against teachers and officials responsible for the incident,” he told reporters.
A police case has been registered following a complaint filed by the mother of the deceased student, the district collector added.
In the wake of the incident, angry villagers staged a blockade on the Rasgovindpur-Jaleswar road. The protesters demanded immediate compensation for the bereaved family and accountability for those whose negligence led to the tragedy.
The school’s headteacher, Jayant Kumar Panigrahi, has been suspended for negligence on duty, and the government has announced Rs 7 lakh ex gratia to the family of the deceased student, officials said.
Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra visited the hospital to check on the recovering students and offer support to their families.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das said in a post on X, “Deeply anguished by the death of a student due to suspected food poisoning at Kakibandha Ashram School, Baripada where over 100 students have also fallen ill. This points to gross negligence and a serious systemic failure. Those responsible must be held accountable, and immediate action is essential to ensure student safety”.
