Girl dies after falling in tub of boiling rice in Bihar school

CM orders inquiry and says action will be taken against erring persons

Agrade two schoolgirl died after accidentally falling into a tub of boiling rice during lunch hour in a government school in Bihar, prompting the state government to order an inquiry.

The incident took place at a government middle school, Gaunaha in West Champaran district on Tuesday, reviving memories of the horrible midday meal tragedy in another government school four years back.

As per reports, six-year-old Shubham Kumari, daughter of Shatrughan Ram, had gone to take lunch cooked in the school on Tuesday when she slipped and accidentally fell into the tub full of boiling rice. She sustained severe burn injuries.

She was rushed to a local government health centre where she succumbed to her burn injuries on Wednesday. Angry villagers later blocked roads and protested on the streets, seeking action against the persons responsible. The blockade was lifted after the officials rushed to the spot and promised action against the culprits.

“The cook had gone to fetch water after cooking food when the girl went near the school kitchen along with other students and fell into the tub,” the school principal Krishna Kumar Sharma told mediapersons yesterday.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar ordered an inquiry into the death.

“The government has taken the matter very seriously and severe action will be taken against erring persons after the probe,” chief minister Kumar said yesterday.

The state government also announced a compensation of Rs400.000 (Dh21,992) to the victim’s family.

In a similar midday meal tragedy in July 2013, at least 23 pupils died and dozens fell ill after being served toxic midday meals at a government primary school located at DharmashatiGandaman village in Saran district.