Argus News - Food Poisoning Death: Dawn-to-dusk Bandh Disrupts Normal Life in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj

Mayurbhanj, Apr 18: Normal life was affected in Odisha's Mayurbhanj on Saturday following a 12-hour bandh. The bandh, effective from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., was called in response to the tragic incident at Kokabandha (Kakabandha) Ashram School, where a class 5 girl lost her life after consuming contaminated food.

The bandh has disrupted normal life across the district, with shops, transport, and offices remaining closed.

According to reports, over 100 students had fell ill while one Class 5 student died after having a meal at a government-run tribal residential school. Following which, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Mahi had ordered a probe.

Acting on Chief Minister’s directive, revenue divisional commissioner (Central) Sudhansu Mohan Samal visited the school and interacted with staff, students and parents.

Officials said the students of the Kakabandha Ashram School complained of discomfort and fell ill after eating food items "not mentioned in the authorised menu" on Sunday morning. Their parents claimed the children had fermented rice ('pakhala'), mashed potatoes, and mango chutney, following which they suffered from loose motion and vomiting.

Also read: Class 5 Student Dies While Under Treatment, School Headmaster Suspended

More than 100 students were rushed to the local community health centre, and 67 of them were transferred to PMR Medical College and Hospital in Baripada in serious condition.

Rupali Besra, a Class 5 student, had to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital and despite continuous medical intervention, the girl died.

Authorities have assured that investigations are underway, and accordingly action will be taken.