Shameful incident again in Kandhamal: Class 9 girl student gives birth to a baby boy

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Kandhamal: A shocking and shameful incident has once again come to light in Kandhamal district. A Class 9 girl student, who was staying in the hostel of a government girls’ high school run by the ST & SC Development Welfare Department, has given birth to a baby boy.
This incident occurred in the girls’ high school located in the Phiringia block area of Kandhamal district. In this connection, the school headmaster has filed a case at Phiringia police station, while the victim’s family members have also lodged a complaint at Gochhapada police station.
Out of fear of social stigma and embarrassment, the minor girl is currently staying at home with the newborn baby. It is reported that both the mother and the baby are not in very good health, but due to fear of social shame they are not going to the hospital for treatment. However, under the supervision of the village ASHA worker and health staff, basic medical care is being provided to both the mother and the child.
According to information received, last year during school holidays when the minor girl had gone home, she reportedly developed a physical relationship with a young man. After the holidays ended, she returned to school and continued staying in the hostel and attending classes, while also becoming pregnant.
Last month, when the matter came to light, the school headmaster called her family members and handed over the girl to them after it was discovered that she was already eight months pregnant. Following this, the family members lodged a complaint at Gochhapada police station.
On the 1st of this month, the minor girl gave birth to a baby boy. Police from Gochhapada police station have completed all legal procedures related to the case, but the accused person has not yet been arrested, said Gochhapada IIC Sanjeeb Behera.
Meanwhile, this incident has raised several serious questions. How did the school or hostel authorities fail to notice that the student was pregnant for nearly eight months? When regular health check-ups are conducted for the hostel students, how did the health worker fail to detect the pregnancy?
While many such questions are being raised, concerns are also growing regarding the safety and future of students staying in SC/ST hostels run under the Kandhamal District Welfare Department. However, the response of District Welfare Officer Ravi Narayan Mishra regarding what action has been taken in this matter has not yet been received.