Lanjigarh: A Class-VII boy sustained critical burn injuries after a peon of the government-run SSD High School here in Kalahandi district allegedly poured hot gruel on him Saturday.
Bhaskar Sahu, son of Khymanidhi Sahu, developed swelling in his eye and blisters all over his face, chest and limbs.
The incident occurred when Sahu was coming out of the school after attending his annual examination at about 9.30am when peon Bikram Munda poured hot gruel on him.
Sources said Munda resorted to the act in order to punish the boy. The incident has sent shockwaves in the area.
Sahu was first admitted to Vedanta hospital and later shifted to Lanjigarh government hospital. He was later shifted to the district headquarters hospital in Rayagada after his condition worsened.
Sahu’s father Khymanidhi said Munda deliberately poured hot gruel on his son and lodged a complaint against the peon at the local police station.
When contacted, headmaster Bijit Nayak said all steps are being taken to provide necessary treatment to the victim student. Locals alleged the school authorities are trying to hush-up the matter and demanded that the peon be punished for his act. PNN