A Class 5 student died on Tuesday after falling critically ill along with more than 100–150 students at the Kokabandha (Kakabandha) Ashram School, a government-run residential school in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. The children reportedly fell sick on Sunday morning after consuming fermented rice (pakhala) and other dishes served in the hostel mess.
Several students experienced vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain, prompting authorities to rush them to nearby health centres, while many were later shifted to Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital in Baripada as their condition worsened. The deceased student, identified as Rupali Besra, had been admitted to the intensive care unit but succumbed despite medical treatment.
While most affected students are currently stable and under observation, parents have accused school authorities of serving stale food and negligence, staging protests demanding strict action. District officials have suspended the school’s headmaster, ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident, and the Odisha government has announced financial assistance for the bereaved family.
Hostel Meal Triggers Mass Illness
The incident unfolded on Sunday morning at the Kokabandha Ashram School, which houses around 240 students from Classes 1 to 8, many of whom come from tribal and economically vulnerable communities in Mayurbhanj district.
According to officials, a large number of children fell ill shortly after eating food served in the hostel mess, including pakhala (fermented rice), mashed potatoes and chutney. Soon after the meal, students began complaining of severe discomfort, including vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps, suggesting possible food contamination.
Alarmed school staff and local authorities rushed the affected children to the Rasagovindpur Community Health Centre for immediate medical care. However, as the number of cases rose and several students’ conditions became more serious, around 50 to 60 of them were shifted to the Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital in Baripada for specialised treatment.
Doctors placed some students under close medical observation to prevent complications. Among them was Class 5 student Rupali Besra, who had been admitted to the intensive care unit after her condition deteriorated on Monday. Despite continuous treatment by doctors, she died on Tuesday morning, leaving her family and community devastated.
Parents Protest, Probe Ordered
The tragedy quickly triggered anger and grief among parents and local residents, many of whom accused the school administration of negligence. Families alleged that the children had been served stale or contaminated food in the hostel mess, which they believe led to the mass illness.
Some parents also claimed that the children had eaten food items that were not part of the authorised menu prescribed for the hostel, raising concerns about the monitoring and quality control of meals provided to students.
Following the incident, several parents gathered outside the school and health facilities, staging protests and demanding strict action against those responsible. They urged authorities to ensure accountability and improve safety measures in residential schools so that such tragedies do not recur. Responding to the public outcry, Mayurbhanj District Collector Hema Kanta Say confirmed that the headmaster of the school, Jayanta Kumar Panigrahi, has been suspended pending investigation.
“The inquiry team will visit the school, speak to the students, and find out the reasons behind the incident and the people responsible for it. Based on the report of the inquiry committee, we will take further action,” the district collector said while announcing the probe. Officials added that the investigation will examine food preparation practices, storage conditions and adherence to authorised meal guidelines at the school hostel.
Senior officials and public representatives also visited the hospital to review the situation and meet affected students and their families. Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra reportedly interacted with doctors and directed local authorities to conduct a detailed assessment of the incident and submit a comprehensive report.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The heartbreaking death of a young student in a residential school highlights a deeply concerning issue ensuring basic safety and dignity for children in institutional care. For thousands of families across India, government-run hostels and residential schools represent hope: a chance for children, especially from marginalised communities, to access education, nutrition and a better future.
While authorities have initiated an inquiry and taken immediate steps such as suspending the headmaster, the incident underscores the need for systemic reforms rather than reactive responses. Schools must have strict food safety protocols, regular inspections, trained kitchen staff and transparent accountability mechanisms.
