Students thrashed by hostel cook in Rourkela

Rourkela: A cook engaged at the hostel of a government high school in Rourkela allegedly thrashed five students for playing games on mobile phones.

The matter came to light after a complaint was lodged at the Udit Nagar police station by the parents of the victim students today.

Three among the five injured students are undergoing treatment at the hospital, sources said.

According to reports, the cook, identified as Bipin used to thrash the kids on a regular basis. Last Thursday, Bipin asked a student to give him his mobile phone. When the student refused, Bipin merscilessly beat him.

Unable to bear the torture, the victim student fled the hostel and narrated the ordeal to his parents. The hostel is reportedly managed by Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA).

"All of a sudden Bipin sir came to me and started thrashing," said the victim.

Later, when the family members of the student came to inform the matter to the school authorities, they came to know that other students were also beaten up by Bipin inside the hostel.

"My nephew was being beaten up regularly. Unable to bear the torture, he informed us the matter last Thursday. He was severely injured and was unable to walk properly," informed the uncle of the student.

"Bipin is a temporary cook in the hostel. We have received the complaint and will start an investigation into the matter soon," informed the school headmistress, Shakuntala Pradhan.

On the other hand, the in-charge of the hostel feigned ignorance over the matter.

Meanwhile, Police have started an investigation and a team of Child Welfare Committee (CWC) is also scheduled to visit the school. Bipin is reportedly absconding after police complaint.