Odisha’s education sector is under fire following a deadly food poisoning outbreak at a government-run ashram school in Mayurbhanj. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has demanded immediate accountability from top officials after a minor tribal girl died and over a hundred students were hospitalized.
The crisis began on April 12 when students at Kakabanda Ashram School in Mayurbhanj district consumed lunch prepared in the school kitchen. Within hours, symptoms of food poisoning gripped the campus, leading to mass hospitalization. Fifth-grader Rupali Besra fought for her life in the ICU of Baringpad’s Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College but passed away two days later on April 14.
Acting on a complaint dated April 15 from BJD leader Priyabrata Majhi, the NCST issued formal notices to key authorities: the Commissioner-Secretary of the ST/SC Development Department, Mayurbhanj’s District Collector, and the SP. Under constitutional mandate, they must furnish a comprehensive report on actions taken within a tight seven-day deadline, via post, in person, or electronically.
In the aftermath, Odisha’s administration suspended the school’s principal and pledged Rs 7 lakh compensation to the bereaved family. A high-level inquiry by the revenue divisional commissioner is underway, probing lapses in food preparation and storage. The NHRC’s parallel scrutiny adds pressure for transparency.
This event has spotlighted longstanding issues in tribal residential schools—poor infrastructure, inadequate monitoring of meals, and neglect of hygiene protocols. Community leaders warn that without urgent overhauls, more lives are at risk. Political parties, including the opposition BJD, are pushing for statewide safety checks. As reports pour in, Odisha faces a pivotal moment to safeguard its vulnerable students.
