A day after two school students drowned in a canal at Haripur under Khaira block in the district, locals released two teachers, including a woman, whom they had detained following the incident, after the Sub-Collector assured them to take action in this connection. The Sub-Collector also assured to provide a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to family members of each deceased.
Notably, Class-VI student Rajesh Sahoo and Class-VII student Dhananjaya Jena of Ratina Nodal Upper Primary School, drowned in canal while washing their hands after having their midday meal on Friday. Tension prevailed in the school premises following the deaths as irate villagers blamed the school authorities for their negligence that led to the tragedy.