14-year-old girl dies in Gadchiroli ashram school hostel; superintendent ordered suspended

The death of a 14-year-old student of the government ashram school at Sonsari in Kurkheda taluka of Gadchiroli district has caused alarm in the area. The girl, Ranu Krishna Halami, was a Class 8 student. According to available information, she died in her hostel room yesterday evening.

The family says Ranu was unwell and wanted to go home. Her parents have made a serious allegation that the hostel superintendent, Dipali Chambhale, locked her in the room. Family members claim this left Ranu under mental stress.

Ranu's father, Krishna Chinu Halami, and mother, Manisha Halami, have demanded an impartial inquiry into the entire matter and strict action against those found guilty. They have also demanded compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the family.

Given the seriousness of the incident, state Tribal Development Minister Prof. Ashok Uike reached Kurkheda today and took stock of the situation. He spoke to the girl's family and heard their side. The minister took the allegations made by the parents and local public representatives seriously, and reprimanded the ashram school's management as well as the Tribal Development Department's local set-up.

The minister also ordered that the hostel superintendent be suspended and that a case be registered against those concerned.

Following the incident, questions are being raised about the safety of children studying in ashram schools. It is also being asked whether children's complaints are heeded and how accountable the administration is. The entire district is now watching what the actual circumstances behind Ranu's death were, how much truth there is in the parents' allegations, and who is held responsible in the inquiry.