In a shocking incident more than 50 children fell sick after consuming mid-day meal at a Government middle school in Chandil block of adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan district on Thursday afternoon.
When the children started feeling drowsy they were rushed to a primary health centre at Chandil, however sensing trouble they were shifted to MGM Medical College and Hospital in the afternoon.
Sources informed that a total of 164 children were admitted out of which 50 were admitted for examination.
A total of 25 have been admitted to the hospital with complaints of food poisoning. The rest of the children were sent back after check-up.
Seraikela-Kharsawan deputy commissioner, KN Jha rushed to the medical college hospital to see the ailing school children and has ordered for a probe into the episode.
"It is not yet clear whether the children had fallen sick due to food poising in the mid-day meal. I have called for a probe into the incident," said Jha.
The incident of alleged food poisoning has taken place in Rajkiya Madhya Vidyalaya, Khunti located at Chandil block of the adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan district.
In the afternoon the children present in the school at the time of the incident, were served rice, pulses, egg curry and smashed boiled potatoes (Aalu ka Choka) as part of the mid-day meal.
By the time a student saw a dead lizard in the rice some 50 odd children had already had their lunch. In the meantime, one of the boys who were having his launch started vomiting and within few minutes a large section of the students started complaining about stomach pain and were constantly vomiting.
However, the school staff, with the help of the local villagers arranged the transport for ferrying the children to the city for admitting them to MGMH. An official of the school said: “For several years mid-day meal is being served to the children but, for the first time we have experienced such problem.”
Congress leader SRA Rizwi Chabban, who visited the hospital to inquire the well being of the admitted children, demanded high level inquiry into the matter and said penal action, should be initiated against the guilty.
The head master of the school, Balram Oraon had not come to the school today, as he was away from Chandil.
A teacher of the middle school concerned said on condition of anonymity that the mid-day meal is prepared and served by members of Mataa Samity, an all women outfit engaged for this purpose.
SS Prasad, superintendent, MGM Medical College and Hospital, said that the condition of most of children admitted in the hospital is normal.