Bhubaneswar: The Block Education Officer (BEO) of Gurundia in Sundargarh district has issued a showcause notice to the headmaster of a government nodal high school in Jarda following the rescue of a Class III student who was found trapped inside a tin box in the hostel for nearly three hours on Friday.
According to reports, the incident occurred after a fight between two Class III students in the hostel before 10 am. One of the students returned to class while the other remained missing. The class teacher noticed the boy’s absence during attendance and, after questioning other students who claimed ignorance of his whereabouts, initiated a search. Despite initial unsuccessful efforts, the boy’s parents were informed, and his mother rushed to the school.
The breakthrough came when two teachers heard noises emanating from a tin box in the boy’s hostel room. Upon investigation, the boy was found inside the box. The rescued student alleged that his roommate had locked him inside. The boy’s mother subsequently took him home and accused the school and hostel authorities of negligence.
In response to the incident, a meeting was convened at the school on Saturday. Following the meeting, headmaster Gangadhar Seth removed Meena Kishan, the deputy superintendent of the hostel, citing negligence in duty.
On Sunday, BEO (in-charge) Bhagwan Bankira issued a showcause notice to the headmaster, directing him to submit a written explanation within two days. Bankira stated, “After receiving the headmaster’s reply, if necessary, a further inquiry will be conducted and appropriate action taken against those found responsible.”
