Meghalaya Students Fall Sick After Eating at Karnataka Hostel, Two Die
A tragic incident has struck students from Meghalaya, with two of them losing their lives and 22 others hospitalized after eating food at a hostel in Karnataka. The Meghalaya government has taken swift action, with the Home Department’s Commissioner and Secretary, Cyril VD Diengdoh, confirming the arrest of six individuals, including the cook, hotel owner, and school staff. The students had been living in an unauthorised hostel associated with their school and were served food from a local restaurant on the day of Holi, which is believed to have led to the mass poisoning.
Diengdoh visited Mandya under government directives and briefed the press on the situation. He revealed that the students were admitted to the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, with three initially in the ICU, but only one remaining in critical care. The hospital authorities are providing good care, and the Child Welfare Committee of Mandya district is closely monitoring their well-being. The food samples have been sent for forensic examination to ensure a thorough investigation.
The arrests were made under Sections 286 and 106 of the Karnataka Police Act at the Malavalli Rural Police Station. "The law will take its own course," Diengdoh emphasized, reaffirming the government’s commitment to justice. The administration is exploring ways to facilitate the students’ exams without academic loss, given their approaching annual exams. Once the legal formalities and health considerations are addressed, the plan is to bring them back to Meghalaya.
The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has written to the Chief Minister, urging the state government to take note of an earlier report, "A Strange And Bitter Crop," published in 2009 by Tehelka, which highlighted the conditions of children taken by RSS and its affiliates or associates to Karnataka. The HYC president, Roy Kupar Synrem, called for a state fact-finding team to investigate the number of young boys and girls taken by such groups or organizations for free education outside the state, creating a database of these organizations, and establishing a mechanism to hold responsible individuals accountable for the safety and well-being of students.
In a letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, and Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma, Synrem emphasized the importance of preventing tragic losses and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/03/22/six-arrested-in-karnataka-food-poisoning-deaths/
Category : MEGHALAYA
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Publish Date: 2025-03-22 02:14:00
