A tragic incident in Rayagada district has claimed the life of Class VII student Biren Takri, who succumbed to severe burn injuries after fighting for survival for 48 days.
On January 5, a student allegedly set fire to four classmates inside the upper floor of Paikadakuluguda Upgraded High School in Bisamcuttack block. While all four sustained injuries, Biren was critically hurt. He was admitted to SCB Medical College in Cuttack, where he underwent treatment for nearly seven weeks before passing away on Tuesday.
Biren, son of Babula Takri of Paikadakuluguda village, left his family and community devastated. Following the news of his death, relatives and villagers staged a protest outside the school. They accused teachers of negligence and held them responsible for the incident. Protesters locked the teachers inside the school premises, burned tyres, and demanded compensation for the family.
Muniguda police rushed to the spot, pacified the agitated crowd, and rescued the teachers. Authorities confirmed that the school headmaster had earlier lodged a written complaint at Muniguda police station. Based on the complaint and statements of injured students, the police registered a case against the accused student.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials stated that the probe will take a new direction following Biren’s death.
