Mid-day Meal Horror in Bihar-Death Toll Rises

Nine more school students died today, adding up the figure to 20 tragic death, due to food poisoning after consuming mid-day meal at a government primary school in Bihar's Saran district, official sources said.

Including the woman cook, twenty seven were taken seriously ill and have been shifted to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), as reported from Principal Secretary Education Department Amarjit Sinha.

While 16 children, aged below 10 years and studying in Class I to V, had died in Chhapra itself, four others were declared dead on arrival at PMCH late last night, Sinha said.

Superintendent of PMCH Amarkant Jha Azad said that the victims were admitted to ICU of paediatric department and senior doctors were attending on them round the clock.

The tragedy took place at the government primary school in Dahrmasati Gandawan village at Mashrakh block, about 25 km from Chhapra and 60 km from state capital yesterday.

Meanwhile, opposition BJP today gave a call for Saran bandh to protest the Nitish Kumar government following the midday meal deaths.

The RJD is also observing Saran bandh today in protest against the incident.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered a high level inquiry into the incident, sources in the CMO said, adding that a Forensic Science Laboratory team will assist in the probe, which will be conducted jointly by Saran Divisional Commissioner and DIG.