Kandhamal (Odisha): At least eight students from a state-run Tribal Welfare Residential School in Odisha’s Kandhamal district were hospitalised on Friday after their eyes were allegedly sealed with adhesive while they were asleep.
The shocking incident took place at the Sevashram school in Salaguda, where boys aged around 12 years from Classes 4 and 5 were targeted. The victims were initially taken to a primary health centre in Gochhapada. Seven were later referred to the district headquarters hospital in Phulbani for specialised treatment, while one was discharged after regaining his ability to open his eyes.
Teacher Premalata Sahoo said she discovered the boys struggling to open their eyes around 7 am. “Later, I found out that some students applied an adhesive on their eyes,” she said, adding that she first helped them eat breakfast before rushing them to the hospital.
According to Sources, the adhesive used was Fevikwik, a strong bonding agent. Doctors confirmed that the substance caused damage to the students’ eyes but noted that timely treatment prevented permanent vision loss.
The district administration suspended the school’s headmaster, Manoranjan Sahu, for negligence, and a high-level probe has been launched to investigate how the incident occurred. Parents and local leaders have demanded strict action against those responsible.
Meanwhile, local sarpanch Rohit Kahanra blamed the teachers for failing to prevent the incident, raising questions about supervision at the residential school.
