A Class V student at Deopottangi panchayat Sevasharam under Pottangi block in the district died due to illness on Saturday. The student, Krushna Badanaik (11), was a native of Dhemsaguda village under Pukali panchayat of the block.
According to sources, he was suffering from unknown disease for seven days. When it came to the notice of headmistress Namita Dei, she took him to the local health centre. Krushna came back to the hostel after his condition improved on Thursday. But the Sevasharam staff had to take him back to the health centre as he fell sick on Friday.
Due to severe illness, he was referred to Koraput district headquarters hospital where he succumbed on Saturday. Later, Krushna's family members along with the body staged a demonstration in front of the school demanding compensation and stringent action against authorities responsible for his death.
Block Chairperson Bimala Pangi and ZP member Sukra Khara rushed to the spot and discussed with the family members and school authorities. They assured of compensation of `10,000 from school and `50,000 from district administration within seven days.
The headmistress said, "There are 363 inmates in the school. It is difficult to look after them with only one male and four female teachers."