Students at Baunshput Government High Primary School in Koraput district fell ill after eating rice contaminated with a lizard.
Consequently, authorities suspended Headmaster Sadanand Halawa.
On Friday night, the staff stored leftover rice after dinner. The next morning, around 8 a.m., hostel students received the same rice. While eating, one student discovered a lizard head and bones in her plate, and another found a tail. Immediately, both students discarded their food into the drain.
Soon after, hostel warden Lili Mahanti informed Headmaster Halawa. As the hostel manager, Halawa quickly contacted the medical team and called an ambulance. Shortly afterwards, Dr Nihar Ranjan Sadangi and his team from Bandhugaon Community Health Centre reached the hostel, examined the students, and provided necessary treatment.
Meanwhile, authorities launched an investigation into the incident. They concluded that negligence in food management caused the contamination. Therefore, the education department suspended Headmaster Halawa on Monday. During the suspension, he must work at the Bandhugaon Block Education Officer’s office. Moreover, he cannot leave the office without permission from higher authorities.
As a result, this food contamination incident exposed serious lapses in hostel food safety. Furthermore, the suspension of the headmaster emphasised the accountability expected from school administrators. Parents and community members also voiced concern over the health and safety of children in government schools.
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