Saswat Singhdeo

Bolangir: Despite stringent laws in place to make schools corporal punishment-free, incidents to the contrary continue to rise in Odisha.

In one such incident, some class 1 students of Jalpali primary school in Patnagarh area of Bolangir were allegedly thrashed for not drawing a picture properly. The shocking part is that they were thrashed inside the classroom by the husband of a school teacher, Laxmi Meher.

“Many of us were thrashed with a stick by the husband of our teacher,” said a student.

After the incident, some injured students were admitted to hospital. While the accused Soudagar Meher, husband of Laxmi, has gone missing after the incident, police have launched an investigation.

"A case in this regard has been registered and we have launched an investigation," said Patnagarh Deputy Superintendent of Police, Suresh Nayak.

The incident led to a massive outrage across the village with parents and guardians of the students demanding immediate arrest of the accused and suspension of concerned school teacher.

On the other hand, admitting that her husband physically assaulted the students, Laxmi said, “He was not in a good state of mind which is why he thrashed some students.”

Assistant Block Education Officer (ABEO)of Patnagarh, Suresh Chandra Mishra said, "On the direction of DEO, I have launched an investigation. Later, we will submit a report to the higher officials. The culprit will be punished."

Later in the day, acting on the order of district collector, the ABEO suspended Laxmi.

In another incident earlier on Thursday, a student of Balijori Nodal Primary School in Jharsuguda was admitted to the district headquarters hospital after being allegedly thrashed by the headmaster in-charge of the school.

 

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