New Delhi, April 9: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a food poisoning incident at a girls’ hostel in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where several students fell ill after eating.
The apex human rights body has issued notices to the state’s Chief Secretary and the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner, requesting a detailed report within two weeks. The NHRC has asked officials to provide information on the health status of the affected students and the progress of the investigation.
The NHRC emphasized that if the allegations in the report are true, it constitutes a serious violation of human rights, necessitating immediate attention. Reports indicate that the incident occurred on April 5 in a hostel located in the Memnagar area, where students complained of stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting after their meal.
Subsequently, they were taken to the hospital for treatment. Approximately 57 students from the hostel fell ill, exhibiting symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and weakness. They were promptly taken to a private hospital, where 18 students were admitted, while the others were monitored in the outpatient department before being discharged. The condition of the admitted students is reported to be stable.
Officials noted that the students had consumed food prepared in the hostel as well as some items ordered from outside, including pani puri and dabeli.
While the exact cause of the incident remains unknown, initial information suggests possible contamination in the food. Samples of the food and water have been collected from the hostel for testing, and further action will be determined based on the results of the investigation.
Established under the Human Rights Protection Act of 1993, the NHRC is an autonomous statutory body that reflects India’s commitment to promoting and protecting human rights. Its primary role is to safeguard and promote human rights, defined as those rights related to life, liberty, equality, and the dignity of the individual, guaranteed by the Constitution or included in international treaties, which can be enforced by Indian courts.
The NHRC has the authority to take action on human rights violations based on media reports, public information, or other sources, even without a formal complaint.
Leave a Comment