Phulbani: The scourge of ragging continues unabated, despite being outlawed and having severe consequences, even as a group of six to seven students at Dinarsingh Memorial Government Higher Secondary School, Boida under Phulbani block of Kandhamal district brutally assaulted a Class-IX student, accusing him of theft and mocking.
The boy sustained grievous injuries all over his body. School authorities reportedly delayed in rescuing the victim and later admitted him to Gumagada hospital. However, instead of following due procedure, the boy was sent home in an apparent attempt to cover up the incident.
Locals attributed the recurrence of such incidents to the absence of the hostel superintendent on the campus. The school functions under the District Welfare department and hosts both boys and girls from Class I to XI, many of whom stay in the hostels.
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The victim had gone to his bed after dinner around 10pm Monday. Soon after, six to seven hostel inmates accused him of stealing soap and money, and started assaulting him. Despite his repeated denials, they continued thrashing him until about 11pm.
On being alerted by a teacher, the hostel superintendent reached the spot and pacified the students. However, instead of admitting the victim to a hospital, the superintendent shifted him elsewhere in the hostel.
The critically injured boy remained in the hostel throughout the night. He was shifted to Gumagada hospital Tuesday morning. The school authorities sent him home after treatment.
When contacted, headmaster and hostel superintendent Jayalal Nayak admitted that the incident had taken place. He said the assault stemmed from allegations of theft.
District welfare officer Rabinarayan Mishra confirmed the ragging incident and said an inquiry has begun. “This happened over allegations of stealing soap and money. Parents of the accused students have been summoned to the school Friday. Stringent action will be taken against those found guilty,” Mishra said.
PNN
