Koraput: A Class IX student sustained critical injuries after he was allegedly attacked by a classmate at the hostel of Balipeta Sevashram, run by the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development Department, at Balipeta under Narayanpatna block in Koraput district.
The injured student, Siara Tadingi, son of Jairam Tadingi of Upargumandi village under Talagumandi panchayat, was treated at the local community health centre.
According to reports, a Class IX student allegedly came to the hostel campus under the influence of intoxicants Wednesday morning and attacked Siara.
He suffered a deep head injury and heavy bleeding.
Other hostel students who witnessed the incident were frightened and informed the mess in-charge.
School authorities later took Siara to the hospital.
After learning about the incident, Siara’s family members reached the school and alleged that he was attacked by his classmate over ragging.
School authorities, however, denied that the incident was related to ragging.
The block welfare officer reportedly held discussions with both families and school authorities and asked the headmaster to resolve the matter amicably.
Headmaster Debabrata Mishra said he had informed higher authorities and submitted details of the incident. He maintained that it was not a case of ragging.
Meanwhile, some students and family members alleged that hostel students regularly consume intoxicants and questioned how narcotic substances enter the hostel.
They also alleged negligence by the warden and staff.
Families expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged delay in informing police and demanded an impartial investigation, strict action and stronger security.
Koraput District Welfare Officer Sunil Kumar Tandi said he had received information about the incident and assured that it would be investigated.
