Rourkela: The Sundargarh Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Sunday began a probe into the alleged thrashing of three students of Uditnagar Government High School by its hostel cook.
A two-member CWC team visited the hostel and recorded the three students’ statements. Preliminary investigation showed that the charges are true, the probe team said. The officials also discussed the matter with headmistress Shakuntala Pradhan and other students of the school.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the allegations of assault levelled against the cook are true. We will recommend strict action against the accused, who is absconding,” CWC member Randheer Lenka said.
Cook Bipin Kisan allegedly thrashed the students for listening to music on a mobile phone. The incident occurred when a Class VII student and two of his seniors were listening to songs on a mobile phone when cook Bipin holding a stick beat up the students black and blue. The boys tried to explain and pleaded for mercy, but Bipin refused to listen and went on assaulting them.
The boys sustained serious injuries and were admitted to a hospital. After the students narrated the ordeal before their parents, the latter lodged a complaint at Uditnagar police station Saturday.
The headmistress said she had received complaints from the guardians and the matter is being probed. Many inmates of the hostel alleged that Bipin often comes drunk to the hostel and beats them up for no reason.
PNN