Bhubaneswar: A Class 5 student died on Tuesday and more than 100 others fell ill in a suspected case of food poisoning after they consumed stale pakhala (fermented rice), saga bhaja (fried green leaves) and aloo bharta at the hostel of a govt-run residential school in Mayurbhanj district on Sunday.The deceased was identified as Rupali Besra (12), a student of Kakabandh Ashram School, which is run by the ST and SC welfare department, in Rasgovindpur. She was under treatment in PRM Medical College and Hospital in Baripada since Monday for severe diarrhoea and was vomiting.While chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced an ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh for the girl’s family, the headmaster of the school, Jayanta Kumar Panigrahi, was suspended by the local administration.Following Rupali’s death, her family members demonstrated outside the hospital and later near Jaleswar alleging negligence by the school authorities and questioned the quality of food being provided to students. They demanded a compensation of Rs 25 lakh.Soon after the girl’s death, housing and urban development minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra visited the hospital and enquired about the condition of the ailing students. “Children’s health must not be compromised,” he said, while assuring that any negligence in maintaining food quality and hygiene would be thoroughly investigated. He added that strict action would be taken against those found responsible for the incident.Mayurbhanj collector Hemakant Say said, “Close to 150 students of the hostel, who consumed the food on Sunday morning, complained of loose motion and vomiting soon after. Students were rushed to the local health centre where some were discharged after preliminary treatment, but those whose condition deteriorated were shifted to PRM Medical College and Hospital on Monday. Rupali was being treated in the ICU. While 60 more students are currently under treatment at PRM, 40 more are recovering at the Rasgovindpur health centre.”The department mandates a fixed and nutrient-rich menu for residential students. Although upma and curry were scheduled for Sunday breakfast, sources said students were instead served leftover pakhala, saga bhaja and aloo bharta prepared the previous day for breakfast.Opposition leaders criticised the school authorities. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das said, “The 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.”
