Class 3 student drowns in canal during school hours, parents lock up Head Master

Tension prevailed at Budhapada village under Nuapada’s Boden block after a class-3 student of the Budhapada Upgraded High School drowned to death while taking a bath in a canal during school hours on Monday.

The deceased has been identified as Keshab Jagat, son of Rudra Madhav Jagat and Sabita Jagat from the same village.

As per reports, Keshab and some friends went to a nearby canal to take a bath during recess of the school. When Keshab began to drown, his friends informed the Head Master, Rajendra Joshi who rushed to the spot with other students.

Keshab was rescued and sent to Khariar hospital for treatment where doctors announced him brought dead.

Agitated by the incident Keshab’s parents and locals locked up the Head Master and other teachers inside the school office alleging negligence. They also blocked the Khariar-Boden road demanding stern action against the school authorities.

Upon being informed, Boden police and Tehsildar reached the school and tried to pacify the agitated locals.

The locals alleged that, instead of rescuing Keshab himself, the Head Master directed other students to rescue him from the canal, which resulted in the delay and subsequent death of the child.

(Reported By Kunal Behera, OTV)