Nuapada, July 18(OT Webdesk)—In a disturbing development from Odisha’s Komna block, the district administration has suspended the headmaster of Sahajat Ashram School following the mysterious death of a 13-year-old student, Ashwini Das.
The school, a residential institution designated for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe communities, is now at the centre of a storm after concerns emerged over the students’ eligibility and institutional accountability.
Headmaster Haradeb Hans, who had only recently assumed charge, was suspended on Thursday based on initial findings that raised serious concerns. The incident occurred Wednesday night while Das was residing at the school.
The local SDPO, Swadhin Mishra, has launched a formal investigation, but tribal organisations and education activists are demanding a broader probe. “This isn’t just about one suspension—it’s about how the system failed this child,” said a representative from the District Tribal Association, which is urging authorities to question all staff involved in the student’s admission and welfare.
The circumstances surrounding Das’s admission have become a flashpoint, with public debate intensifying over possible procedural violations and attempts to deflect systemic blame.
Many citizens in Nuapada are now anxiously seeking transparency and justice in what they are calling “a betrayal of trust in tribal education.”
