Post News Network
Sambalpur/Naktideula, April 10: In a tragic incident, a 16-year-old girl student of Kisinda Plus II College under Naktideula block of the district sustained grievous injuries after a piece of asbestos fell on her while she was writing examination at the college Friday.
The incident occurred when Harekrushna Pradhan, night watchman of the college, was repairing the asbestos roof Friday forenoon after it was damaged due to strong wind recently. As the asbestos roof caved in due to heavy pressure, Pradhan, along with a piece of asbestos, fell on Kalyani Bhoi that left her critical. The backbone girl, who hails from extremely poor family, was broken. She was immediately rushed to VSS Medical College and Hospital, Burla before being shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack for further treatment.
Meanwhile, the principal and other officials of the college allegedly attempted to hush up the matter as they did not mention the name of the student in the register of the hospital even though she was admitted to VSS Medical College and Hospital. The attempt of the college authorities to downplay the incident has angered the students and locals who have demanded a high-level probe into the mishap.
According to reports, Plus II first year’s annual examination for education paper was held in the Friday morning. Bhoi, along with 36 students, was writing the examination when the college authorities asked the night watchman to repair a portion of roof after it was damaged due to strong wind recently. Being asked by the college authorities, Pradhan took a mixture 20 kg of cement and sand in a bucket and started repairing the roof. While repairing the roof, it caved in at around 9.30 am, leaving Bhoi critically injured.
However, the college authorities blamed the night watchman for the mishap that left the student critical. “We had decided to do the repairing work after the examination was over. However, the night watchman did not pay any heed to the request of the college officials and climbed to the roof on his own despite being asked not to do so,” said the Principal Sushrita Bhoi. Sources said the girl’s family, who resides in Dhalpur village, comes under BPL category. Her father Linga Bhoi is running family by selling peas in the area.
The locals have demanded action against persons responsible for the incident. Meanwhile, the police went to the spot and started an investigation.