Gun recovered from Class 9 student inside school in Odisha’s Kendrapara; weapon seized

Police on Saturday recovered a firearm from a Class IX student inside a government high school under Kudanagiri police station limits in Kendrapara district, triggering panic on the school campus, officials said.

According to sources, the incident came to light during a mathematics class when the student was noticed to be unusually distracted. Suspecting something amiss, the teacher checked the student and found a gun concealed at his waist.

School authorities were immediately informed, following which the matter was reported to the police. A police team reached the school, seized the firearm.

An investigation has been initiated to ascertain how the student came into possession of the firearm and whether it was functional, police said. Further action will be taken based on the findings of the probe.

Acting on the complaint lodged by the headmaster, Kudanagiri police reached the school premises and seized the firearm. The weapon has been sent for forensic examination to ascertain whether it is functional and to determine its origin.

Student Sent To Observation Home

Reports added that the student has been placed in a juvenile observation home as per procedure, and further inquiry is underway. Investigators are questioning the minor to establish how the firearm was procured and whether any adult involvement is linked to the incident.

Confirming the seizure, Kudanagiri IIC Arabinda Mohanty said the school authorities informed the police after the weapon was detected. He said the focus of the investigation is on tracing the source of the firearm and verifying the circumstances under which the student came into possession of it.

“A young boy was found possessing what appears to be a handgun. We have seized the weapon and are verifying details as to how the Class IX student obtained it. The headmaster informed us of the matter. Although there was reluctance to register a case given the age of the boy, we are interrogating him to ascertain the facts,” Mohanty said.

ALSO READ: Three students go missing from residential ashram school in Dhenkanal, search underway

Headmaster Raises Additional Concerns

Headmaster Nrusingha Chandra Mallick said the incident created fear among students and staff. He stated that the police were immediately informed after the gun was found on the student.

Mallick also told police that the student had allegedly used the firearm earlier to intimidate a teacher near his residence, warning the teacher against taking action over his classroom behaviour.

Police said this aspect is also being verified as part of the investigation.