An unfortunate incident unfolded in Agartala, the capital city of Tripura, India, on Thursday morning when over 20 female students from two higher secondary schools suddenly fell ill during their morning prayer session, according to an article in the Indian Express.. The students, primarily from Bodh Jung Girls Higher Secondary School and one from Maharani Tulsibati Girls Higher Secondary School, complained of severe stomach pain and chest discomfort, prompting immediate medical attention.
Authorities quickly responded to the situation, rushing the affected students to the Agartala Government Medical College and the Gobind Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital for treatment. While 11 students required hospitalization, the rest received primary care and were subsequently released. Initial police investigations point to food poisoning as the likely cause of the mass illness.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, who also holds the health minister title, personally visited Gobind Ballabh Pant hospital to assess the situation and meet with the affected students. In a statement to the press, Saha said, “From what I have come to know, 20-25 girls developed stomachaches and started feeling unwell during their prayer session. It might have occurred due to food poisoning.” He assured the public that all the students were in stable condition and had requested a detailed report on the incident.
Further investigation revealed that the students had consumed a meal of rice and pulses (edible seeds in the legume family that includes chickpeas, lentils, dry peas and beans) at the Maharaja Hostel in Indranagar earlier that morning. Kripa Biswas, a student from Bodh Jung Girls Higher Secondary School, disclosed that similar incidents had occurred among hostel residents in the past, raising concerns about recurring food safety issues at the facility.
Minister Animesh Debbarma also visited the hospital to meet with the affected students. As the investigation continues, local health officials are expected to conduct a thorough examination of the hostel’s food service operations and implement necessary measures to prevent future incidents.
The incident has drawn attention to the critical importance of food safety in educational institutions, particularly in residential settings where students rely on provided meals. It also stresses the need for stringent hygiene practices and regular inspections of food preparation and storage facilities to prevent such occurrences.
Commenting on this story, one national food safety attorney said, “This incident highlights the potential consequences of food contamination and the paramount importance of maintaining high standards of food safety in institutional settings. Fortunately, in this case, the swift response of local authorities and medical professionals ensured the well-being of the affected students.”
