TV
Achyuta Samanta's Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Bhubaneswar faces scrutiny following reports of students allegedly disappearing from the institute campus, amidst claims that no formal complaints have been filed, sources said on Wednesday.
Also Read: Bhubaneswar KIIT University allegedly obstructs road to NIFT
Previously, this issue had also come to the light through a 2017 report by the Khordha Child Welfare Committee (CWC). The case involves Ramachandra Mandra, a student from the remote Bonda Ghati region in Malkangiri district, who has been missing since 2015. His family, belonging to the tribal community, had enrolled him at KISS in 2012 with aspirations for his academic success.
Severe accusations made against KISS
However, the family reported receiving vague reassurances from the institute after his unexplained absence, initially being told he had run away from the hostel.
The family, after years of searching, filed a police complaint in Malkangiri in 2018. Yet, there have been no significant developments in locating him. His distraught mother and siblings continue to plead for answers, questioning the absence of action despite the institute's security measures, including CCTV surveillance.
The Khordha CWC inspection highlighted concerning conditions at the institute, such as inadequate toilet facilities and sparse meal distributions—students allegedly receive food only twice a day, with around a 12-hour gap. These findings contribute to rising unease among social workers, who claim KISS restricts external oversight and lacks transparency regarding student data.
“Children rescued at different times, by Odisha Police and some other organisations, were being produced before us (CWC). Around 4-5 students were once rescued and they all were from a particular institution (KISS). Thereafter, we had asked the authorities concerned to appear before the child welfare body for a probe,” former Khordha CWC member, Benudhar Senapati said to OTV.
Must Read: Fresh cases of ‘illegal land acquisition by KIIT University’ come to the fore
“We had come to learn from the authorities that no FIR was lodged by them. Suspecting a foul play, the Committee, with permission from District Collector, had verified the available amenities in the educational institution,” Benudhar Senapati added.
Attempts to contact KISS authorities for comment have so far remained unanswered; leaving families and advocacy groups, questioning the accountability of such educational institutions in Odisha.
