Authorities have initiated an investigation following an incident where 27 ninth-grade students at a government-run residential school in Odisha’s Rayagada district were allegedly assaulted by senior class-10 students.

The altercation reportedly occurred on Sunday in the hostel of the Government High School, Ravilkona, which is managed by the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backwards Classes Welfare Department. The incident came to light on Tuesday when the school headmaster filed a police report at the Chandili police station against the senior students.

According to police, the conflict began when a group of class-10 students reprimanded their junior counterparts for returning late from the playground. When the ninth graders protested, they were allegedly attacked by the seniors.

Further escalation occurred when the junior students reported the incident to school authorities, leading to another assault involving wooden bats, as noted by an official.

Upon the police’s arrival at the school, the senior students had already fled the scene. In response to the incident, the relevant department has commenced an investigation, and the Rayagada district administration has issued a showcause notice to the headmaster, as confirmed by a senior officer.