Koraput: A Class X student was expelled from a govt residential school in Rayagada district on Wednesday, and a police complaint was filed against him, a day after a video purportedly showing him and a few other senior students assaulting more than 20 junior hostel inmates with sticks and coconut fronds, went viral.The incident took place at the hostel of Revolkona High School under Kolnara block, which is run by the state govt’s SC and ST development department, on Sunday night. It came to light after the video surfaced on social media on Tuesday, prompting the authorities to initiate disciplinary and departmental action.Rayagada district welfare officer Asima Rao said the main accused, seen in the viral video, has been expelled from the school and a police complaint lodged based on the footage. “All injured students are safe and continue to stay in the hostel. Regular counselling is being provided to the students. The incident is unfortunate, and a departmental inquiry is underway,” she said.According to officials, the assault allegedly began after a group of Class IX students complained to teachers about the behaviour of the accused student and some of his classmates. The teacher reportedly reprimanded the senior student, following which he and a few others allegedly attacked the complainants and several other Class IX hostel boarders later that night.Hostel superintendent Dambarudhar Tripathy said disciplinary proceedings were initiated immediately after the incident came to the notice of the authorities. “A detailed inquiry into the incident has been initiated to examine the sequence of events, identify any lapses in hostel supervision and determine whether there was any negligence on the part of those responsible for the students’ safety. Necessary action will be taken once the inquiry is completed,” Rao said.The school has a strength of over 200 students studying in classes VIII to X, said officials.
