Food Poisoning Incident at State-Run Schools: One Death, Several Hospitalized

A food poisoning incident at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Ashram School in Mehroona left 80 students ill, resulting in the death of a 15-year-old. While 45 students have been discharged, 15 remain hospitalized but stable. An investigation is underway, with strict actions promised against those responsible.

Forty-five students, who were hospitalized after a food poisoning incident at their state-run schools, have been discharged, while 15 remain under observation but are in stable condition, officials said on Thursday.

Around 80 students from the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Ashram School in Mehroona village fell ill with symptoms of stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea after eating the school meal and were hospitalized on Monday.

One student, Shivam Yadav (15), died on Wednesday after being transferred to a hospital in Gorakhpur for better treatment, according to officials.

''By 4 pm on Thursday, 45 students admitted to the Maharshi Devraha Baba Medical College were discharged. Only 15 students remain hospitalized and they are completely healthy. It is expected they will also be discharged by Friday,'' Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rajesh Jha said.

Meanwhile, local BJP politicians condoled the passing of the 15-year-old schoolboy.

''An investigation is being conducted and whoever is found guilty will face the strictest legal actions,'' local BJP functionary Santraj Yadav said.

The school, offering residential-based free education to meritorious students from financially weaker sections, is operated by the state's Social Welfare Department. According to official website, 94 such schools are functional in the state.

The district administration has lodged an FIR with the police and initiated a magisterial probe into the incident while canceling the license of the mess contractor.

The FIR, registered against the mess contractor, includes sections 105 (culpable homicide), 125 (endangering life), and 271 (spreading infection) among others, police said.

(With inputs from agencies.)