Baripada: Absence of basic facilities in the hostel for more than two months has forced the residential students of Bisipur Ashram School at Udala in Mayurbhanj district to leave the campus and walk nearly 8 kilometres in protest.
The students, who allege they are being served insect-infested rice and have no access to drinking water or electricity, walked nearly eight km to draw the attention of education and administrative officials.
As per reports, the hostel houses around 100 boys and 150 girls. According to the students, basic facilities such as drinking water and electricity have remained unavailable for over two months. They further alleged that they are regularly provided insect-infested rice.
Despite repeatedly complaining to the hostel in-charge, matron and even the headmaster, no action was taken. Instead, the students claimed they were often scolded when they raised the issues.
Frustrated by the continued neglect, the boarders left the hostel and began walking towards the offices of the Block Development Officer and Education Officer to apprise them of their grievances. While the students were proceeding to meet the District Collector to highlight the mismanagement at the school, administrative officials intercepted them at Khunta chowk.
The students were taken to the Khunta Block office, where their problems and demands were discussed in the presence of the Sub-Collector of Kaptipada, Project Administrator of ITDA and the Block Development Officer.
The students maintained that issues of substandard food and lack of basic amenities have persisted for a long time and demanded immediate intervention.
