Post News Network
Jeypore, Oct 10: A Class IX student, staying in a missionary stay home at Kuntarkhal village under Sadar police limits and was engaged in selling milk by the stay home authorities died Friday evening in a road mishap on NH-26 here in Koraput district.
The deceased Shankar Dalai of Petapada village under Lamtaput block was returning after supplying the milk produced by a farm run by the stay home authorities to Omfed when an oil tanker hit the Scooty he was riding. While Shankar died on the spot, Minu Suna (14), a Class VIII student of the school and a native of Kamta village of Nabarangpur who was pillion sustained critical injuries. The deceased is survived by a physically challenged brother while his parents had passed away long ago. The police seized the tanker and detained its driver.
Residents of Kuntarkhal reached the local sub-divisional hospital as the news of Shankar’s death spread in the area. They demanded a probe as to how two minor boys were sent on a Scooty to supply milk to Omfed.
It may be noted the stay home has sheltered several orphan children who study in various schools of the town.
Meanwhile, the stay home authorities have given Rs60,000 to the brother of the deceased and promised to pay another Rs40,000 within next few days after the villagers demanded compensation.
On the other hand, several inmates of the stay home alleged that the authorities often engage them in such work and provide less food to the students who study in high schools of Jeypore town.
Similarly, the villagers also alleged that an inmate of the stay home had died of malaria in 2012 due to medical negligence. Though an inquiry was ordered, no action has been taken against the authorities so far, they said.
When asked about the irregularities and the death of the student, CD Kar of the stay home said the concerned authorities shouldn’t have sent the inmates on a Scooty. However, proper food is being provided to the inmates, she said.