Another Ashram School Girl Impregnated In Odisha

Kandhamal: Yet again raising questions over the safety and security of girls in the schools and hostels, a Class VIII girl student of a state-run model residential school under Belghar police limits in Baliguda has allegedly been impregnated by a youth.

The pregnancy of the girl was reportedly detected during a routine health check-up conducted few days back. After the shocking revelation, the school headmaster lodged a complaint with Belghar police alleging that the girl has been raped by a local youth. Based on the complaint, police registered a case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and subsequently arrested the accused who happens to be a Plus-III student of nearby college.

As per reports, the girl is four-months pregnant and has been handed over to Child Welfare Committee (CWC) by the school authorities.

Srikant Khamari, IIC of Belghar PS, said, "The girl in her statement mentioned that she was lured and raped by the youth. The accused Amulya Pradhani is a Plus-III student of Tumudibandha College. He has been arrested and court forwarded."

With incidents of teenage pregnancies refusing to die down in Odisha, the major concern now is can we ever make schools a safer place for our little girls?