A 15-year-old girl from the Sinapali block of Nuapada district died late Thursday night after falling seriously ill at the 100-bed Scheduled Tribe Girls’ Hostel.
Her family alleged that negligence by the hostel’s headmistress led to the loss of her life.
The deceased, Padmini Majhi, daughter of Gayadhar Majhi from Dangriguda village under Karanbahali Panchayat, was a Class X student at the Balika High School while residing in the hostel.
According to family members, Padmini fell ill on Tuesday and developed a fever and diarrhoea by Wednesday. As her condition worsened, hostel authorities took her to the Sinapali Community Health Centre and informed her family around 9 pm. When relatives arrived, they found her condition critical. Doctors referred her first to the District Headquarters Hospital and later to Burla Hospital. Despite treatment, she died around 2 am on Thursday night.
Her family accused the headmistress of failing to act promptly and responsibly, claiming that negligence cost their daughter’s life. On the other hand, the headmistress denied the allegations, stating that the student showed no symptoms on Tuesday, and once her condition worsened on Wednesday, she was immediately taken for treatment, and her family was informed. She insisted that no negligence occurred.
Reports indicate that more than 100 girls stay in the hostel, which is managed by one matron and two CCAs.
Following the incident, Sinapali Welfare Officer and district officials visited the bereaved family on Friday evening and handed over a Rs 20,000 Red Cross assistance cheque. During the visit, the family reiterated their allegations of negligence. Officials assured them that a proper investigation will be conducted and appropriate action taken.
