Rourkela: The district welfare officer (DWO) of Sundargarh has suspended a cook-cum-attendant of an ashram school for negligence after a 10-year-old student drowned last week.A Class IV student drowned while bathing in a nearby pond with other hostel inmates on April 30. The incident occurred when students were taken to the pond due to water shortage at the hostel following a thunderstorm-induced power outage.According to officials, about 30 students were taken to the pond under the supervision of the cook-cum-attendant. While 29 students returned, the victim was reported missing during morning meal time. His body was discovered floating in the pond the next day by locals.The incident sparked protests from villagers who demanded compensation for the family of the deceased and action against school authorities. The matter was resolved after district officials assured appropriate action would be taken.DWO Bhagirathi Patel issued showcause notices to several school officials. “I have disengaged the cook-cum-attendant for his negligence,” said Patel. He has also proposed forming a three-member committee, including a medical officer and a senior district administration official, to conduct further investigation.The ashram school has 209 students, with 181 residing in the hostel. Further action against other officials will be determined based on the committee’s findings.