Cook, helper abused

BHADRAK: Two women, who worked as cook and helper in a primary school in the district, were allegedly abused by the school management over their caste. Following a complaint, the police on Friday initiated a probe.The headmaster of Jantuali Primary School under Bansada police limits allegedly forbade Kaka Majhi and Manjulata Khatua from cooking mid-day meal when the duo demanded their legitimate remuneration. Both have been working in the school for the last two years for a paltry pay. They continued to work for the same even after the State Government hiked their salaries to Rs. 600 and Rs. 400 respectively, in 2009.  “We lodged a written complaint with the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO), BDO and Additional District Magistrate (ADM). The BDO issued us identity cards and asked the managing committee president and school headmaster to pay us the hiked salary,” said Kaka Majhi. That was on September 12. The very next day, they were allegedly abused by the headmaster, managing committee president and two villagers for belonging to the lower caste and denied entry into the school. “We initially lodged a written complaint with Bansada police. But when they did not take any action, we met the DSP,” they said. Meanwhile, DSP KK Dangayat has asked Bansada police to register a case. Headmaster Dinabandhu Das and school president Binod Ghadei, however, denied the allegation.