Orissa teacher,set on fire for complaint,dies

The 28-year-old died at a hospital in Vishakhapatnam after battling for life for five days.

A woman teacher in tribal-dominated Rayagada district of Orissa,who was set on fire for refusing to withdraw a sexual assault complaint against a school inspector,succumbed to her burn injuries on Friday.

The 28-year-old died at a hospital in Vishakhapatnam after battling for life for five days. She had suffered more than 90 per cent burns.

Expressing condolences,Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced Rs 10 lakh financial assistance for the teachers family. Naveen also directed the case to be heard in a fast-track court and asked the criminal investigation department to probe the matter.

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On October 27,while she was sleeping,an assailant entered her room and poured kerosene on her and set her on fire. The incident took place in a residential government school at Tikiri in Rayagada district. While setting her on fire,the miscreant reportedly told her that she has to pay the price of lodging a case against the school inspector.

The woman had earlier lodged a case at the local police station against school headmaster Netrananda Dandasena for asking sexual favours. Dandasena used to harass her but she did not budge,the teacher had alleged.

The pressure went up after Dandasena was promoted as school inspector. Though approached,the district inspector and other officials took no action against Dandasena. The police also reportedly did not take any

action.

Rayagada SP Rajesh Pandit said Dandasena has now been arrested and the district inspector of schools has been suspended.