Khliehriat, Nov 28: In the backdrop of suspected food poisoning in the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Rymbai, the East Jaiñtia Hills Deputy Commissioner has appointed a joint enquiry committee under the supervision of Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Sadar Manish Kumar.
Fifty-nine JNV students have reported being unwell with suspected food poisoning from the school mess since November 22.
On November 26, JNV Principal Dr Raj Kumar in a report to Deputy Commissioner Shivansh Awasthi stated that 17 girl students had complained of fever, cough and cold on November 22. He cited that they had fallen ill due to “sudden change of weather.” He said these students were sent home for parental care and to protect other students from being infected by communicable disease. The next day, some students complained of stomach pain.
In the report, the Principal stated that 38 students (mostly girls) were sick since November 25, out of which 11 of them reported back to the school.
The Principal said that the institution has only one staff nurse with limited medical facilities and students are living in the common hall at the temporary site of the institute.
“No student is hospitalised and other students who are under treatment are also feeling better as per regular communication exchanged between the JNV staff nurse and the students,” the Principal said in his report.
The Deputy Commissioner said the enquiry committee, which also comprises the Food Safety Officer, District Medical & Health Officer, Sub-Divisional School Education Officer and District Child Protection Officer, will probe into the circumstances leading to the incident.
“The Committee has been ordered to conduct a detailed enquiry into the cause of the suspected food poisoning incident and has been directed to submit a comprehensive report including findings and recommendations within one week,” Awasthi said.
