Koraput: In a tragic incident highlighting the growing migrant labour crisis, a 16-year-old matriculation student from Odisha died in Hyderabad while working at a construction site.

The deceased, Mangala Khara, a Class 10 student of Baligaon High School, belonged to Adwanguda village under Kenduguda panchayat in Boipariguda block of Koraput district. He had recently appeared for his matriculation examinations.

Teen leaves home after BSE Matric exam, joins construction work in Hyderabad

According to reports, shortly after completing his exams, Mangala left home on the day of Holi Purnima without informing his family. He travelled to Hyderabad along with a friend from Kumbharguda village under Dasmantpur panchayat in search of work.

Fatal fall at construction site

Mangala was employed as a mason at a private construction company in the Nizampet area of Hyderabad, Telangana. On Sunday morning around 8 am, he reportedly slipped while carrying out centering work at the site and fell from a height.

He sustained fatal injuries and died on the spot, sources said.

Family seeks action, body to be brought home

Upon receiving the news, the family members approached Boipariguda police station seeking assistance. The body is expected to be brought back to his native village after post-mortem formalities in Hyderabad.

Rising ‘Dadan’ migration raises concerns

The incident has once again drawn attention to the alarming rise in ‘dadan’ (distress migration) from parts of Odisha. Lack of local employment opportunities is reportedly forcing even minor students to migrate in search of work.

Several similar cases of deaths involving migrant labourers, including minors, have been reported earlier, raising serious concerns over child safety, labour conditions, and gaps in the education system.

The latest tragedy underscores the deepening crisis in rural areas, where economic hardship is pushing children out of classrooms and into hazardous work environments.