In a shocking and condemnable event, four students were severely burned after a fellow student allegedly threw thinner on them and set them ablaze at the Upgraded High School in Paik Dakuluguda, under the Bissam Cuttack block in Rayagada district, Odisha. The incident occurred around 3 PM today.
According to reports, the victims were heading to the restroom when the perpetrator targeted them with thinner—a flammable solvent—and ignited it, causing immediate flames to engulf their bodies. School teachers quickly responded to the cries for help, rescuing the injured students and rushing them to the Bissam Cuttack Community Health Centre (CHC) for initial treatment. Due to the severity of their burns, they were subsequently transferred to the local Christian Hospital for advanced care.
Among the victims, Biraj Takri, a seventh-grade student, is in critical condition. The other injured include Nalin Huika and Rohit Khara, both from the seventh grade, and Sudam Bagh from the fifth grade. Medical sources indicate that while three are stable but under observation, Biraj’s condition remains precarious, with doctors monitoring him closely.
The headmaster of the school, when questioned, stated that he was on the high school campus at the time and rushed to the medical facility upon hearing the news. He expressed that he would inquire further from the on-duty teachers to understand the exact circumstances leading to this horrific act. “This is a deeply unfortunate incident during school hours, and we are committed to investigating it thoroughly,” he added.
Local authorities have been notified, but Muniguda police officer Saudamini Behera was initially occupied with another accident case. She confirmed over the phone that she is now en route to the site to investigate.
No arrests have been made yet, and the motive behind the attack remains unclear, though preliminary accounts suggest it may have been an act of mischief or bullying gone horribly wrong.
