Bhubaneswar/Bargarh (Odisha) – In a deeply distressing development, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of the tragic death of a 13-year-old boy, Pratyush Bhaena of Baipura village, who lost his life after falling into a heap of smoldering rice mill ash at Kaleswar Rice Mill in Mahule village under Bheden Police Station limits.
The matter was brought to the NHRC’s attention by Dilip Kumar Dash, a social activist from Nandol, Bhawanipatna. Following his complaint, the Commission has registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident. In its first official move, the NHRC on Thursday issued notices to the Chief Secretary of Odisha, the Director General of Police, and the Bargarh District Collector, seeking a detailed report within seven days on the action taken in response to the incident.
According to sources, the tragedy occurred on the morning of February 26, when Pratyush was on his way to bathe in a nearby stream on his bicycle. While crossing a road near the rice mill, he reportedly slipped and fell into a large heap of hot rice husk ash that had been dumped irresponsibly. The ash was still burning internally, causing him to suffer severe burn injuries.
Family members rushed him to VIMSAR Hospital in Burla for immediate medical care. After being under treatment for nearly 40 days, he was referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for advanced care. Unfortunately, on April 9 at 7:30 PM, Pratyush succumbed to his injuries.
The incident triggered widespread outrage in the region. As news of the boy’s death spread, villagers staged a protest by placing his body in front of the rice mill, demanding justice and accountability. Following public pressure, local police arrested the rice mill owner, and the district administration constituted a special investigative team to probe the matter.
Now, with NHRC intervention, the case has taken a new legal turn. The Commission has also scheduled a hearing of the case in Bhubaneswar on July 21, instructing the named authorities or their official representatives to be present. The NHRC has clearly directed that the report must detail all steps taken by the state and local administration to address the tragedy and prevent such incidents in the future.
This incident has once again highlighted lapses in industrial safety norms and child protection in rural Odisha. The tragic loss of a young life due to gross negligence demands urgent systemic reforms and justice for the grieving family.
