Mid-day meal death toll touches 21, Nitish under attack

Patna, July 17: Pressure grew on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after the mid-day meal death toll in a primary school in Chhapra touched 21. More then 20 children were undergoing treatment at Patna Medical College Hospital.

Most of the children who died of food-poisoning after consuming the meal was aged below 10.

Hundreds of protesters surrounded the local police station on Tuesday evening demanding strong action against the school authorities. Violent protests had also broken out. An FIR had been lodged against the principal of the school who is absconding.

School children being rushed to a hospital

School children being rushed to a hospital after they complained of sickness following mid-day meal at a village in Chapra district on Tuesday.

School children being treated at a hospital

School children being treated at a hospital after they complained of sickness following mid-day meal at a village in Chapra district of Bihar on Tuesday.

Crying relatives of school children

Crying relatives of school children who died after eating mid-day meal at a village school in Chapra district of Bihar on Tuesday.

Adulterated oil is suspected to be the reason behind the deaths, said sources.

The RJD has called a strike on Wednesday to protest the tragedy. Party chief Lalu Prasad, who is an MP from Chhapra and also former chief minister of Bihar, said such incidents were occurring throughout Bihar and he would find the culprits. The BJP, with whom Nitish Kumar's JD(U) severed a 17-year-old tie, slammed the latter saying such incidents did not occur even when Lalu Prasad was in power in Bihar.

The chief minister has ordered a probe into the incident and also announced Rs 2 lakh each as compensation to the kin of the children who died.

OneIndia News