Probe begins into forced paddy sapling plantation by students

Bhubaneswar: The District Child Protection Officer and members of Child Welfare Committee (CWC) on Saturday began a probe into the incident of forced plantation of paddy saplings by the students of Ramakrushna model school at Mahulpal village under Kamakshyanagar block of Dhenkanal district.

The investigating officials spoke to the students and teachers of the school. The officials also enquired about the incident from some parents and locals, sources said.

“We will prepare a report on the incident and legal action will be initiated against the teachers if they are found guilty,” an official stated.

On Friday, it was alleged that students of the school were being forcibly engaged in plantation work by teachers of the school. The teachers had allegedly threatened the students of corporal punishment if any of them failed to report for the plantation work.