Shillong: A devastating incident has unfolded in Karnataka’s Mandya district, where a 13-year-old student from Meghalaya, Sunday Kerlang, lost his life due to suspected food poisoning at an unauthorized hostel.
The hostel, operated by Gokula Vidya Samsthe, a private school in T Kagepura village, was serving leftover food from a Holi feast, which led to the tragic event.
The food poisoning outbreak affected 30 students, including 24 from Meghalaya, with seven children remaining in critical condition, one of whom is on ventilator support.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and assured that state officials are coordinating with the Karnataka administration to investigate the matter.
A team from Meghalaya, comprising P. Sunn, Sub Inspector of Schools, and R. Kharsyntiew, District MIS, PM-POSHAN, has been dispatched to Karnataka to assess the well-being of other affected students and provide a detailed report on the incident.
Investigations have revealed that the hostel was operating illegally without proper infrastructure, and students were regularly served leftover food from nearby celebrations and events. The cook, hostel warden, and school owner have been arrested in connection with the incident, and a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed officials to ensure strict action against those responsible, emphasizing the need for caution when consuming food from external sources, especially for young children.
The incident raises serious concerns over unauthorized hostels and food safety regulations, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Read More: RPF Cracks Down on Illegal Migration, Apprehends 11 Individuals