70 ill after consuming contaminated food

Mandala, MP, Jan 26: More than 70 schoolchildren fell ill -- eight of them were in serious condition -- after consuming food distributed as a part of Republic Day celebrations at Bamhani in this district, official sources said.

'Murra' and 'Chiraunji' were distributed as sweets to students of class V-VIII at a school in Bamhani Nagar panchayat. After consuming the sweets, children complained of diarrhoea.

As per preliminary information, food material was allegedly brought in a sack of urea fertiliser, resulting in contamination, sources said. The children were immediately admitted to a primary healthcare centre in Bamhani.

On receiving information, BJP MLA Shivraj Singh Shah and block medical officer A N Kori visited the spot. An administrative level inquiry had started into the case.

UNI