Raipur, July 19: In a troubling incident at the Government Chandrashekhar Azad Higher Secondary School in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, eight students fell ill after allegedly consuming a banned substance disguised as chocolate. The incident has raised serious concerns about student safety and drug accessibility in schools.
The affected students were rushed to the hospital for treatment, with one student requiring admission to the ICU due to severe health complications. The local police and administration have initiated an investigation into the matter.
According to Nalini Verma, the acting principal of the school, the banned substance was reportedly given to students by a tenth-grade student named Tarun Gupta. The administration was unaware of the incident until the students began showing symptoms of illness. The substance was allegedly administered outside the school premises.
The situation escalated on July 16 when one student fell ill around 2 PM, prompting his family to take him to the hospital. The following day, another student, Naitik, was reported to be in critical condition, leading to further investigation into the other affected students. Currently, four students remain hospitalized, but their conditions are reportedly improving.
During questioning, Tarun Gupta admitted to distributing the substance but did not disclose its source. The principal stated that the administration has informed the relevant authorities and will proceed with actions based on their guidance. Both Tarun and the other students claimed they were unaware that the substance was illegal or harmful.
K. Yadav, the father of one of the students, initially thought his son was suffering from a common cold. After monitoring him overnight, he took him to the hospital when his condition worsened. Upon learning that several other students from the same school were also ill, he suspected drug use rather than a typical illness. He emphasized that while the teachers appeared not to be at fault, strict action should be taken against the student who provided the substance.
Sarika Ramtek, the mother of Naitik, revealed that her son had consumed the substance on July 16 without her knowledge. After receiving a call post-school hours about her son’s condition, she rushed home to find him in a weak state. Initially considering a local doctor, she ultimately admitted him to Gangotri Hospital when his condition deteriorated. He is currently being treated in the ICU, with doctors closely monitoring his recovery.
Sarika also expressed that the school’s teachers should not be held responsible. She praised the school’s environment and called for an investigation into how the banned substance reached the students, urging for strict legal action against those involved.
Dr. Charandas Mahant, the leader of the opposition in the Chhattisgarh Assembly, expressed deep concern over the incident. He stated that it is alarming that drug networks have infiltrated schools, colleges, and even hospitals. He warned that the accessibility of such substances to youth aged 15 to 20 poses a serious threat to society. Dr. Mahant urged the state government, the home department, and the Chief Minister to take this issue seriously, emphasizing the need for stringent actions against drug supply chains and increased surveillance around educational institutions to prevent future incidents.
The police are currently investigating how the banned substance reached the students and who may be responsible for its distribution.
Leave a Comment