In a distressing incident at a government-run tribal residential school in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, more than 100 students fell ill and one Class 5 girl lost her life after consuming a meal that deviated from the official menu.
The events unfolded at Kakabandha Ashram School, where students reportedly ate fermented rice (pakhala), mashed potatoes, and mango chutney on Sunday morning—items not listed in the authorised mid-day meal menu. Soon after, many children experienced severe symptoms including loose motions and vomiting, prompting urgent medical intervention.
Over 100 affected students were initially taken to the local community health centre. Of these, 67 were shifted to PMR Medical College and Hospital in Baripada in serious condition. Rupali Besra, a Class 5 student, was admitted to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit on Monday. Despite ongoing treatment, she succumbed to her condition on Tuesday morning, officials confirmed.
Mayurbhanj District Collector Hema Kanta Say stated that, as of late Tuesday, 66 students continued to receive treatment at the hospital while 41 remained at the community health centre. Medical teams have been deployed both to the health centre and directly to the school to monitor and care for the children, with additional admissions reported.
Reacting swiftly to the tragedy, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed condolences to the bereaved family and ordered a detailed investigation. He directed the Revenue Divisional Commissioner of the central division to visit Rasgobindpur on Wednesday morning to examine the circumstances leading to the illnesses and death. The Chief Minister also announced an assistance of Rs 3 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the deceased student’s next of kin.
Additionally, the government has provided Rs 7 lakh as ex gratia compensation to the family. The school’s headteacher, Jayant Kumar Panigrahi, has been suspended on charges of negligence. Authorities have initiated both a police case, based on a complaint filed by the deceased girl’s mother, and an independent inquiry into allegations that unauthorised food was served.
District officials indicated that action would be taken against responsible teachers and staff. A medical team from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme has also been rushed to the site.
On Tuesday, angry villagers blocked the Rasgovindpur-Jaleswar road, demanding adequate compensation and strict measures against those accountable. Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra visited the hospitalised students and interacted with their parents.