A juvenile from Bolangir district consumed phenyl inside Rourkela’s Place of Safety and was immediately rushed to Rourkela Government Hospital on Saturday morning.
Doctors reported his condition as critical.
The incident took place within the Special Jail premises, where the juvenile lived under state custody. Authorities quickly confirmed the suicide attempt and launched an inquiry, led by the Jail Superintendent and local police.
Although officials have not yet determined the motive, medical staff continue to monitor the juvenile closely. Notably, this marks the second such case at the same facility in recent months.
Back in June, another juvenile from Ganjam district consumed phenyl at the same centre and required emergency hospitalization. Consequently, the recurrence of such incidents has alarmed child rights activists and legal experts.
As a result, security protocols and mental health support at the Place of Safety now face intense scrutiny. Experts claim the facility lacks proper psychological counseling and effective monitoring systems. Families of inmates have demanded transparency and improved care standards.
In response, the Odisha government acknowledged the issue and pledged to review existing safety measures. Officials announced plans to introduce mental health assessments and enhance staff training to prevent future incidents.
Originally designed to rehabilitate juveniles in conflict with the law, the Place of Safety now faces criticism for failing to protect vulnerable inmates. Activists have urged immediate reforms to restore public trust in the system.
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