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Kokrajhar, Sep 27: A routine dinner turned into a medical emergency at Central Institute of Technology (CIT), Kokrajhar, after over 60 inmates of the Gambari Sikhla Girls’ Hostel fell ill with suspected food poisoning late Friday night.
The incident took place around 10:15 pm when dinner – rice, potato-paneer mixed curry, fried items and pakoras – was served. Within 20 minutes, students started complaining of severe stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. By midnight, ambulances and private vehicles were ferrying girls to Kokrajhar Medical College and Hospital (KMCH), Besorgaon.
All 50-plus students are currently admitted at KMCH. Doctors attending them said symptoms are consistent with food poisoning and that all are now stable and out of danger.
The horror has sparked anger across BTR. Students allege this was waiting to happen. “For weeks we found insects, sometimes iron-like pieces in our food. We complained to the warden and hostel authorities, but nothing changed. They even hiked our mess charges,” an affected student told this correspondent from her hospital bed.
Disturbing visuals from KMCH showed worried parents who had rushed from different parts of BTR on Saturday morning to check on their daughters.
Taking serious note, Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Chakravarty said serving poor-quality and unhygienic food cannot be tolerated. Two ADC-rank officers held a closed-door review with CIT authorities on Sunday. The district administration has slapped a show-cause notice on CIT and warned of a magisterial inquiry and action against the food supplier and responsible officials.
CIT Kokrajhar, a centrally funded deemed university, has faced similar complaints from its boys’ hostels in the past, students claimed.
Food samples are being collected for testing. The administration says action will be taken only after reports, but for parents and students at Gambari Sikhla Hostel, the question remains – why were repeated warnings ignored until 60 girls landed in hospital?
