Outsiders attack school students in Berhampur, three injured

Berhampur (Odisha): Three people, including two Class 10 students and a school employee, were injured after a group of outsiders allegedly attacked them inside a school campus on the outskirts of Berhampur in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Monday, police said.

The incident took place at Maa Narayani High School during the lunch recess. According to school authorities, four armed teenagers entered the campus after assaulting the school peon, Santosh Mandal, when he tried to stop them. Mandal also sustained injuries in the attack.

The outsiders allegedly assaulted one Class 10 student with an iron rod and hurled stones, injuring another student of the same class who was present nearby. The attackers fled the spot soon after the incident, a teacher said.

Teachers rushed the injured students and the school employee to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur. Hospital sources said their condition was critical.

Block Education Officer (BEO) of Rangeilunda, Debendra Behera, visited the school and conducted a preliminary inquiry. He said the attackers may have targeted a particular student, possibly due to an earlier quarrel, though the exact motive was not immediately known.

The BEO has asked the school headmistress to file a first information report (FIR) with the police. Police said they have begun an investigation into the incident, even as an official complaint from the school authorities is awaited.

(with inputs from agencies)