Baripada: A 12-hour bandh called by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday brought normal life to a standstill in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, protesting the death of a tribal girl student due to alleged food poisoning in Rasgobindpur.

Bandh disrupts normal life across district

The shutdown, observed from 6 am to 6 pm, had a widespread impact, particularly in Rairangpur, where shops, markets, educational institutions, and commercial establishments remained closed. Vehicular movement was disrupted, and railway services were also affected. Despite the scale of the protest, it remained largely peaceful.

Over 150 students fall ill after alleged food poisoning

The agitation follows the death of a Class 5 student, identified as Rupali Besra, and the hospitalisation of more than 150 students after they reportedly consumed food at a government-run tribal residential school. The students allegedly fell ill after eating items not listed in the authorised menu, including fermented rice (pakhala), mashed potatoes, and mango chutney.

More than 100 students of Kakabandha Ashram School, Rasgobindpur, were initially admitted to a local community health centre, with 67 later shifted to Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital in Baripada. At present, dozens of students continue to receive treatment at both facilities.

Opposition demands higher compensation, judicial probe

The BJD has demanded an ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh for the family of the deceased and called for a judicial inquiry into the incident. The Indian National Congress (Congress) extended support to the bandh, with local leaders joining the protest.

Earlier, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced Rs 3 lakh assistance from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the victim’s family and ordered a probe into the incident.

Probe ordered; School Head suspended

Authorities have launched multiple investigations, including a police probe and an independent administrative inquiry. The district administration indicated that action would be taken against those responsible, particularly in light of allegations that unauthorised food was served.

The school’s headteacher, Jayant Kumar Panigrahi, has been suspended for negligence. Meanwhile, state minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra visited the hospital to assess the condition of the affected students and interact with their families.

The incident has triggered widespread outrage, raising serious concerns about food safety and oversight in residential schools catering to tribal students in the state.