A group of 73 girl students of Pakatia Government Girls’ High School in Mayurbhanj district walked 30 kilometres yesterday to meet the district collector Rajesh Pravakar Patil at Baripada to convey their grievance against the newly appointed matron of the hostel.
The girl students started their journey in the evening and reached the collector’s residence around midnight. They declined the police offer to transport them to the collector’s residence and walked the stretch of about 16 km before Baripada.
The students have been complaining against the alleged misbehaviour of hostel authorities, citing their studies are being affected because of administrative negligence and that no corrective measures were taken from the authorities.
Patil listened to them, and promised action. Later, the district administration dropped the school students at their hostel.
The students did not have any specific demand but District Magistrate of Mayurbhanj has asked for a special inquiry into the matter.
The mass education department of the state runs the school, while the hostel is under the SC/ST welfare department.
ANI