Over 200 devotees taken ill after eating 'langar'

Phagwara, May 15 (UNI) More than 200 devotees, including women and children, were taken ill due to suspected food poisoning after eating ''langar'' at a religious place at Green Park here today.

They were taken to different hospitals for treatment and most of them admitted to the local civil hospital.

Some of the patients were given treatment in the waiting hall of the hospital due to shortage of beds. Doctors at the civil hospital had a tough time attending to the ill persons due to the presence of crowd which reached the hospital on hearing the news of food poisoning.

SMO D R Sood told UNI that about 40 patients were admitted in the civil hospital while several were discharged after the treatment. The condition of all patients was stable.

Police took samples of food and drinking water supplied in the 'langar' and sent them for testing.

Phagwara SDM Amarjit paul visited various hospitals to enquire about their health.

Former Phagwara MLA Joginder Singh Maan and Shiv Sena Punjab Vice President Pawan Parbhakar have demanded an enquiry into the incident.

UNI