A tragic incident at a government primary school in Odisha's Kandhamal district has sparked fear and outrage, forcing the school to suspend normal classroom activities. Parents have stopped sending their children to Parttiguda Primary School in Raikia block after the death of a Class 3 student, whose family claims she was assaulted by a teacher before she collapsed.
According to the family, the incident took place on July 28, when the teacher allegedly hit the student inside the classroom after she failed to answer a question. The family claims the child collapsed shortly after the alleged assault and was later declared dead. However, the teacher, identified as Pratap Mallick, has denied the allegations and maintained that he did not assault the student.
Following the incident, panic spread among parents in the village. Fearing for their children's safety, most families have kept their children at home, leaving the school virtually empty and disrupting regular academic activities.
Police and district administration officials have launched a detailed investigation into the case. Authorities said the exact cause of the student's death has not yet been officially established, and further action will depend on the findings of the investigation and post-mortem reports.
Meanwhile, villagers have demanded a fair, transparent, and impartial probe into the incident. They have urged the authorities to take strict action against anyone found responsible, while also ensuring the safety and confidence of students and parents before classes resume.
