Overview
- More than 150 students at Middle School Baluaha in Saharsa fell ill Thursday after the government mid-day meal, with 115 referred to Sadar Hospital and about 40 to 50 treated at Mahishi.
- Parents reported a baby snake or an insect in the dal, and the claim spread online, triggering panic as families rushed children to nearby clinics.
- Doctors and the district magistrate said most children were stable under observation and urged that there was no need to panic.
- Authorities collected the meal for forensic and food-safety analysis by FSL, FSSAI and the drug inspector, and officials said the cause will be known after the lab reports.
- The district magistrate told education officials to file an FIR and issue show-cause notices to the NGO supplier and the school management, highlighting earlier complaints about the NGO and renewed scrutiny of hygiene checks such as teachers tasting food before serving.