Pistol Found From Classroom In Odisha School; Parents, Students Shocked

A country-made pistol was found in a classroom of an upper primary (UP) school in Sambalpur district of Odisha, triggering sharp reactions from parents and guardians of students.  

The pistol was recovered on Saturday during cleaning of a classroom at Rengumunda UP School under Jamankira police limits in Sambalpur district. The weapon was stashed in a shelf inside the room. 

According to sources, the room from which the pistol was recovered was occupied by a former teacher and vacated recently. Assistant teacher Gobinda Bhoi, who had been posted at the school for a long time, had occupied two classrooms of the school. He was transferred elsewhere on March 4, but his belongings are yet to be shifted. 

Meanwhile, when shortage of classroom hampered study, the school authorities decided to clean up one of the classrooms to facilitate sitting of students. During the cleaning activities, one of the workers spotted the pistol kept in the shelf and informed the school authorities. The school authorities have also intimated the higher officials about the weapon. 

The pistol was believed to have been kept by the former teacher. In October last year, he had allegedly attacked a man named Dileswar Sahu with an axe. 

The police have confirmed that no complaint has been lodged in this regard so far. However, a probe will be launched.