Last updated: Dec 10, 2023 3:41 PM IST
The parents have alleged that the teachers forced the students to pour hot oil collected from the lunch kitchen into each other's palms (representative image)
The incident was reported from a school in the tribal-dominated area of Bastar region. While some reports said at least 25 students suffered burns, the District Education Officer put the figure at five
In a shocking incident, a few students of a government school in Chhattisgarh suffered burns on their palms after they were allegedly forced to pour hot oil on each other's palms as punishment.
The incident was reported from a school in the tribal-dominated area of Bastar region. While some reports said at least 25 students suffered burns, the District Education Officer put the figure at five.
After lunch on Friday afternoon, some teachers noticed that someone had relieved themselves outside the toilet in the school building. When they questioned the students, they could not say anything out of fear.
This enraged the teachers and they decided to punish the children in their own way. The students were asked to stand in line while the classroom monitors were instructed to pour hot oil into the palms of their classmates.
However, the parents claim that the teachers forced the students to pour hot oil – collected from the afternoon kitchen – into each other's palms.
According to reports, more than 70 students were present during the incident.
Meanwhile, Kondagaon district education officer Madhulika Tiwari said blisters had formed on the palms of five students. She claimed that the school monitors did the deed and that the oil used was “not that hot.” She also denied reports that 25 students suffered burns in the incident.
“Since the incident took place during school hours, the teachers are responsible for it. That is why we have suspended three teachers: Johri Markam, Mitali Verma and Poonam Thakur. An inquiry has been ordered and action will be taken based on the report received from the investigation team,” she added.