A tragic incident at a residential school in Odisha's Keonjhar district has resulted in the death of a 14-year-old student following injuries sustained during a kabaddi match. The event has sparked allegations of negligence from the grieving family and prompted an official investigation.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The deceased has been identified as Amit Munda, a Class VIII student and boarder at the Gidhibas Eklavya Adarsh Residential School. Hailing from Kendua village under the Baria police station limits, Amit was injured while playing kabaddi on the school premises on Tuesday.
According to sources, his condition deteriorated by Wednesday morning. He was first taken to the Bhanda Community Health Centre and later referred to the Keonjhar District Headquarters Hospital. Despite medical efforts, doctors at the hospital declared him dead.
Allegations and School's Response
Basanti Munda, Amit's mother, has accused the school authorities of negligence in handling her son's condition. The family's grief is compounded by the fact that Amit's father passed away a few years ago.
In a strong protest, the family refused to accept Amit's body when it was brought home on Wednesday evening. They demanded a thorough inquiry and action against those responsible, leading to tension in Kendua village until local police and administration officials intervened to calm the situation.
School Principal Panchanan Pradhan offered a different account. He stated that the boy did not inform authorities about any specific injury from the game. "He had snacks in the evening. Around 7 pm, he went to the sick room and told the nurse he had a headache. He did not say anything else," Pradhan explained.
The nurse reportedly treated him for a suspected gastric issue. Amit returned to the hostel but fell seriously ill in the morning. The house warden and others then rushed him to the Bhanda CHC. "We informed his mother immediately. He was shifted to Keonjhar. The doctor referred him to Cuttack, but he was later declared dead," the principal added.
Official Investigation Launched
The Baria police have registered a case of unnatural death. Sub-divisional Police Officer (Champua) Rashmi Ranjan Sahu confirmed that an investigation is underway. He noted, "No formal complaint has been lodged by the family yet."
Adding political weight to the demand for justice, Patna MLA Akhila Chandra Naik stated he has asked the police to probe the incident properly. "After investigation, detailed information about the incident will come to the fore," Naik said.
The incident raises serious questions about safety protocols and medical response mechanisms in residential schools, especially during sports activities. The community awaits the findings of the police investigation to understand the full sequence of events that led to this young student's untimely death.
