Last updated: February 09, 2023, 2:02 PM IST
As many as 137 students at the college of nurses here have fallen ill after consuming hostel food and a first information report (FIR) has been registered in connection with a suspected case of food poisoning, police said on Tuesday.
Based on a complaint from a security officer of Dakshina Kannada district, Dr. Jagadish, the police said that they had registered the FIR. In the complaint, Jagadish said contaminated food was provided to the students on Monday. He claimed management made a mistake by not submitting a report on the incident to the district administration.
Today representatives of the school board, parents and police officers met to discuss the matter.
During the meeting, the parents raised issues about the quality of food, water and facilities in the hostel. Repeated cases of food poisoning occurred every year and management did not address the issue.
The university’s principal, Shanthi Lobo, said some students showed symptoms of vomiting and fatigue and were taken to hospital on Monday and discharged that evening, while others attended classes.
100 students fell ill and were hospitalized, she said. The college would be closed until the issue is resolved, she said.
The director said that the issue raised by the parents will be considered. More than 20 students were still hospitalized and their health was stable, she said. Management said it would pay the medical bills.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (South) Dhanya said management gave assurance that the issue would be addressed. Police said they would come forward to help the parents if management failed to put things right, she said.
The medical team and doctors visited the hostel and took samples of food and water for testing. Meanwhile, the district administration ordered a medical team to closely monitor the situation.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed)