India, Aug. 1 -- Classes have come to a standstill at Parttiguda Primary School under Raikia block in Odisha's Kandhamal district after a Class 3 girl student was 'beaten' to death by her teacher. With panic gripping the village, parents have stopped sending their children to school, leaving the institution virtually deserted and disrupting the education of several students.

The controversy erupted after the family of the deceased student alleged that she died following an assault by a teacher inside the classroom. According to the parents, the incident took place on July 28, when the teacher, identified as Pratap Mallick, allegedly questioned the girl during class.

They claimed that when the student failed to answer, the teacher alleg...