(Image source from: Adulterated mid-day meal kills 20 in a Bihar school})

In an appalling case of food-poisoning at a state-run primary school in Bihar, as many as 20 children have lost their lives and over 80 have fallen grievously ill, after consuming “contaminated” mid-meal on Tuesday. The incident took place at Dharamsati primary school in Masrakh in Saran.

Horrified by the incident, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar announced a remission of Rs. 2 lakh to the family of the deceased school children.

Affirming the deaths, Principal Secretary, education, Amarjeet Sinha said that he feared that the deaths might have been caused by the presence of a poisonous insecticide called organo-phosphorous in the food. However, he didn't rule out the possibility of poisoning by adulterated oil altogether.

The children fell ill after consuming rice, pulse and soyabean, police said.

Nearly 25 children were rushed to the Patna Medical College and Hospital after their condition worsened."Some ten children are still critical," a hospital official said. The ill children are being attended by doctors round the clock.

Nitish Kumar has ordered a high level state inquiry into the malicious incident. “A forensic science laboratory team will assist in the probe, which will be conducted jointly by Saran Divisional Commissioner and DIG.” a CMO official revealed.

Bihar has often faced a flak for ignoring government guidelines on food quality and have been struggling to curb corruption in its mid-day meal scheme.

Earlier, dead frogs, insects, lizards and rat were found in the mid-day meal cooked for school children.

Image Source: Hindustan Times, Zee News

AW: Suchorita Dutta