Kendrapada: A Class I student at Saraswati Vidya Mandir in Rajagada village lost a part of his right thumb in a classroom accident on Wednesday, prompting an official inquiry into alleged negligence by school authorities.
The incident occurred around 9.30 am when five-year-old Debraj Behera’s thumb was caught between two iron desks, reportedly after being pushed by classmates. “We immediately rushed him to the district headquarters hospital in Kendrapada, where he received proper treatment,” said Tathagata Behera, the school’s headmaster.
However, the victim’s father, Balaram Behera of Olihanilakanthapur village, accused the school of a two-hour delay in seeking medical attention. “The school is only 12 km from the hospital. This delay resulted in my son losing a part of his thumb,” he claimed. The child was later transferred to a private hospital in Cuttack for further treatment.
Block education officer Tanmaya Kumar Behera confirmed that an investigation was launched on Wednesday following the incident. “We are looking into all aspects of the case, including the alleged negligence by school authorities,” he said.