Two Students Killed in Gajapati School Gate Collapse; Headmaster Suspended
Gajapati, April 15: A tragic incident at Rubudisingh Upper Primary School in Gajapati district claimed the lives of two young girls, Edanti Raita (9) and Beckylesh Raita (10), when the school’s iron gate collapsed while they were playing.
Locals rushed the children to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared them dead.
Their bodies were later sent to Paralakhemundi District Headquarters Hospital for post-mortem.
Following the incident, the district administration suspended headmaster Seto Raika, while police registered a case against a contractor accused of storing construction materials inside the school premises.
Villagers alleged that heavy vehicle movement within the campus weakened the boundary wall and gate structure.
OHRC Chairperson Justice Satrughana Pujahari visited the site, condemned the negligence, and directed inspections of unsafe school infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief, ordered an RDC-level inquiry, and announced ₹3 lakh ex-gratia for each bereaved family.
The tragedy sparked protests demanding accountability and stricter monitoring of construction activities in schools, highlighting urgent concerns over student safety in Odisha’s educational institutions.
