Shillong: A suspected food poisoning incident at a residential school in Karnataka has claimed a second life, with another student from Meghalaya tragically passing away.
The victim, reportedly from Nongstoiñ, has yet to be officially identified by authorities.
The incident occurred at Gokul Educational Institution’s residential school in T. Kagepura Village, Mandya District, Karnataka. The first victim, Khrehlang Khongtani, a Class VII student, died on Sunday.
A total of 23 students from Meghalaya were residing at the hostel where the food poisoning incident took place. Following the outbreak, all affected students were promptly hospitalised by the district administration.
In response to the tragedy, the Meghalaya government has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 3 lakh each to the families of the deceased students.
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To assist the families and ensure proper coordination with Karnataka authorities, the Meghalaya government has dispatched key officials, including Inspector of Schools P. Sunn and Sub-Divisional School Education Officer R. Kharsyntiew, to the affected area.
Officials have assured that they are in close communication with Karnataka authorities to monitor the situation and safeguard the well-being of all affected students.
Investigations into the cause of the food poisoning are ongoing, and the school authorities are under scrutiny to prevent such incidents in the future.