BERHAMPUR: The Rayagada administration on Tuesday issued show-cause notice to the authorities of a government-run residential school after purported videos of senior students assaulting their juniors in the hostel went viral on social media.
The shocking incident reportedly took place at Revolkana high school in Kolnara block two days ago. The viral videos purportedly show a group of Class X students assaulting several Class VIII and Class IX students with a cricket bat and coconut petioles in the presence of other boarders on the school premises.
Sources said the senior students reportedly assaulted the juniors after finding them playing cricket instead of participating in school cleaning work. Preliminary reports suggest that the violence may have been linked to an earlier complaint by some Class IX students against their seniors. After being reprimanded by teachers, the senior students allegedly retaliated by assaulting the juniors. Several students reportedly sustained injuries in the assault.
Following the incident, the headmaster-in-charge of the school filed a formal complaint at Chandili police station, seeking legal action against the accused students. Hostel in-charge Dambarudhar Tripathy said disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the main accused student. He said the student would be expelled from the school.
After the videos went viral, the Rayagada collector issued a show-cause notice to the school authorities, seeking an explanation on the circumstances that led to the alleged assault and the measures in place to ensure the safety of students in the hostel.
Kolnara block welfare extension officer Debashish Munda also visited the school and conducted a preliminary inquiry. District welfare officer Asima Rao has directed Munda to submit a detailed report in connection with the incident.
Official sources said further administrative action will be taken after the inquiry report is submitted. Police are also expected to investigate the allegations based on the complaint filed by the school authorities.