New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi has given direction to the secretary, Odisha government’s department of school and mass education and the Superintendent of Police, Gajapati to submit complete and final report fixing the responsibility of the commission of the offence / misconduct / negligence on the part of the perpetrator leading to food poisoning to the girl students.
Taking cognizance on the NHRC Case No. 993/18/21/2019, filed on dated. 10.12.2018, by Sangita Swain, Secretary, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH that On dated. 12.12.2018 the SC, ST & Tribal minor victim Girl students have vomited blood due to providing poisonous food in the hostel of the Tabarsingh Upgraded High School, Parlekhemundi, PS- Ramgiri, Dist- Gajapati violate Human Rights due to inaction Unlawful Action & Abetment by the Police/Public Authority due to non-registration of the FIR against the accused. Hence, and a report dated 18-09-2019 from Department of School & Mass Education, Govt. of Orissa is placed on record. As per the said report after taking dinner, 70 girls students started vomiting out of total number of 87 and they were taken to the primary health centre. Two of the students were referred to the District Hospital and were discharged after treatment. Smt. Sushma CCA of the hostel has been disengaged from her services. Departmental proceeding against Head Master-Cum-Superintendent of the School has also been recommended. As per the report of the food analyst, the reason for vomiting is presence of KMNO4 due to gastric lavage. In the opinion of this commission, KMNO4 i.e. potassium permanganate is normally used by the doctors as a medicine in cases of suspected poisoning for the purpose of stomach wash as it induces irritation resulting to vomiting. It is not clear from any of the reports as to whether the sample collected were initial vomit sample of the students immediately after consuming food or sample subsequent to the treatment given to the students at the primary health centre in which the doctor might have given measured quantity of potassium permanganate for stomach wash, as a normal medical procedure. It is also not clear as to why the sample from residue food articles have not been collected and sent to food analyst in order to ascertain the source of food poisoning. If the residue food articles not preserved for analysis / investigation or deliberately destroyed why the corresponding section of IPC relating to destroying of evidence is not added / included. Mrs. Swain Prayed to take criminal action against the responsible Head Master along with school staffs and the Police/Public Authorities liable in this incident and due to non-registration of FIR, provide free medical facilities and compensate Rs.3 Lakhs
each to the students affected in this incident & 20 Lakhs if dead.
