Chhattisgarh: Minor tribal boy suffers burn while cooking at Bastar hostel, superintendent removed

RAIPUR: A student at a tribal boys’ hostel at Chhattisgarh's Bastar village suffered severe facial burns after boiling oil spilled on him while he was cooking — a lapse blamed on the prolonged absence of the hostel superintendent and cook.

The injured boy, identified as Tuman Bhadre at Barda village in Bakawand block was preparing a meal for fellow boarders when hot oil fell on him, badly burning his face and skin. Locals rushed him to the district medical college in Dimrapal, where doctors described his condition as serious and said treatment is ongoing.




Students told reporters the superintendent and the cook were not present at the hostel at the time, forcing youngsters to prepare their own food. Villagers and parents say this is not an isolated problem: the superintendent and cook are often absent, leaving students to fend for themselves and raising questions about the children’s safety and study environment.

After news of the accident spread, local officials visited the hostel.

Tribal development department assistant commissioner G S Sori said the hostel superintendent, Sonadhar Goyal, has been removed with immediate effect. The cook has been served a show-cause notice and asked to explain his absence.

Residents accused officials of trying to hush up the incident, prompting local outrage. The sarpanch and villagers demand a full inquiry and stricter supervision of residential institutions to prevent recurrence.

Authorities said a probe will look into negligence, absenteeism and safety arrangements at the hostel.

The incident has reignited calls for better staff accountability and independent inspections of tribal hostels, where children’s education and safety depend heavily on the presence and performance of caretaking staff.