Odisha orders inquiry into girl's suicide

The Ganjam district administration in Odisha today ordered an inquiry into the alleged suicide of a Class VII girl student following her parents' inability to buy her notebook and pencil, officials said.
"I have asked the district education officer and district project coordinator of Sharva Shikshya Abhiyan (SSA) to inquire into the incident and ascertain the exact reason," said Ganjam district collector Prem Chandra Chaudhary.
He said police would separately investigate into the case.
The 12-year-old girl who had allegedly set herself ablaze after pouring kerosene on Wednesday succumbed to injuries at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital here around midnight the same day.

She had been admitted to the hospital with over 60 per cent burns, police said.
The girl allegedly took the extreme step after her parents were unable to arrange money for purchase of notebooks and study materials, they said, adding she was studying in the Government Girls' High School in Aska, about 40 km from here.
The victim hailed from a very poor family, while her mother was working as domestic help, her father was a daily labourer who had recently suffered a paralytic attack, they added.