More than 50 girl students of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya in Saragada, Bijatala block, fell ill after consuming chhatua (roasted gram mix) served at the hostel on Wednesday evening.
The students complained of stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea, prompting the school authorities to rush 19 seriously ill students to the Rairangpur Sub‑Divisional Hospital. Over 30 others received treatment at the hostel itself under the supervision of a medical team dispatched by the administration.
Officials, including the Sub‑Collector and Bijatala Block Education Officer, visited the hospital to assess the condition of the affected students. Doctors confirmed that the girls, mostly from Classes VI to X, are now stable, and 18 have been discharged.
Preliminary reports suggest the illness may have been caused by contaminated chhatua, though samples are being examined to confirm the source. Dr Debendranath Tudu of the Rairangpur Hospital said the situation is under control and all students are recovering well.
