Bhubaneswar, Aug. 4 (UDN): The headmistress of Kasturba Gandhi High School at Sargada in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district has been suspended following a suspected food contamination incident that left more than 60 girl students ill, officials said on Tuesday.

The disciplinary action was taken after a preliminary inquiry into the incident, which occurred on July 23 at the school’s residential hostel. According to official sources, nearly 100 students reported symptoms of illness after consuming food served at the hostel.

Among them, 19 students developed severe symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhoea, and were admitted to the Rairangpur Sub-Divisional Hospital for treatment. Their condition initially required immediate medical attention, while more than 30 other students with mild symptoms received treatment at the hostel after a medical team was deployed to the campus.

Following the incident, the district administration and education authorities launched an investigation to determine whether lapses in food preparation, storage or hostel management contributed to the suspected contamination.

Based on the findings of the preliminary inquiry, the District Education Officer (DEO) placed Headmistress Hiramani Hembram under suspension pending further investigation.

Confirming the action, Bijatala Block Education Officer (BEO) Dilip Nanda said the suspension was ordered in connection with the food contamination case and that a detailed inquiry is underway to ascertain the exact cause of the incident and fix responsibility.

Health officials continue to monitor the students, while education authorities have assured that necessary steps will be taken to strengthen food safety protocols and hostel management practices to prevent such incidents in the future.

The incident has once again raised concerns over food quality and safety standards in residential educational institutions, prompting calls for stricter monitoring of hostel kitchens and regular inspection of food handling practices.