An 11-year-old student of a government primary school was found dead in a water-filled pit near his school premises in Odisha’s Nayagarh district on Wednesday morning, triggering protests by family members and villagers who suspect foul play.
The boy, identified as Bholanath Mallick, was a Class V student of Belpada Primary School under the Gania Police limits. Police said he went missing on Tuesday afternoon after having his mid-day meal.
Last seen leaving school premises
According to the investigation, Bholanath was last seen around 1.30 pm when he stepped out of the school campus to relieve himself. Though the school reportedly has two functional toilets, the child did not use them and was allegedly allowed to leave the premises.
When he failed to return even after school hours, his father lodged a complaint at the local police station, following which a kidnapping case was registered. An overnight search by police, family members and locals yielded no results.
On Wednesday morning, residents noticed a slipper floating in a nearby pit and alerted the police. The boy’s body was recovered from a nearly 10-foot-deep water pit close to an under-construction house and sent for post-mortem examination.
Education officials take action
Block Education Officer Lipsa Nanda visited the school and suspended the in-charge headmistress and an assistant teacher for alleged negligence.
“Students are not permitted to leave the school premises between 10 am and 4 pm. Despite this, the child was allowed to go outside, even though usable toilets were available,” she said.
Family alleges foul play
Police said preliminary examination found injuries near the boy’s ears, and the exact cause of death will be determined after the post-mortem report. The family and villagers staged a road blockade demanding a thorough probe.
Authorities have assured that all angles, including accidental death and foul play, are being investigated.