The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has requested a report from Odisha authorities regarding the death of a tribal minor student and the illness outbreak at an ashram school in Mayurbhanj district, suspected to be due to food poisoning. The Commission’s action follows a petition filed by Biju Janata Dal leader Priyabrata Majhi and others on April 15, invoking its powers under Article 338A of the Indian Constitution. Authorities have been given seven days to provide details and actions taken on the allegations.
The Commissioner of the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development Department, along with local officials, must furnish a comprehensive report on the incident within the stipulated time frame. Failure to comply may result in a summons for personal appearance. The incident occurred on April 12 when numerous students at Kakabandha Ashram School fell ill after consuming food prepared on-site, leading to the unfortunate death of a Class V student named Rupali Besra on April 14.
In response to the tragedy, the Odisha government has launched an investigation and offered Rs 7 lakh in financial aid to the bereaved family of the deceased student. The school’s headmaster has been suspended, and a high-level inquiry is currently in progress. The incident has sparked concerns over the food quality and safety standards in ashram schools catering to tribal students, prompting the National Human Rights Commission to also intervene and request a report.
The notice from the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is anticipated to accelerate the ongoing investigations into the matter. The opposition Biju Janata Dal has urged swift responses from all relevant officials and departments involved in the case.
