In a shocking development, three students of an ashram school have died of snake bites in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, while another girl is said to be critical.
The students were bitten after they retired for the night at the hostel located in Japtalai in Dhanora taluka. The bodies of the three girls, identified as Deepika Lakda, Sushmita Mandal, and Anu Koreti, were brought to the District General Hospital. Deepika was a Class 6 student, while Sushmita was studying in Class 8.
The incident reportedly occurred between 2 am and 2.30 am while the students were fast asleep. After learning about the incident, the students were immediately taken to a nearby hospital. Deepika and Sushmita died while undergoing treatment at the hospital in Dhanora. The third student, Anu Koreti, died while undergoing treatment at the District Hospital in Gadchiroli.
Samruddhi Naitam, also a Class 8 student, is reported to be in critical condition.
Ashram Schools (Ashramshalas) are essentially residential schools set up primarily for students from Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. The administration has taken cognisance of the incident and the Project Officer is reaching the spot, Marathi media reports said.
Two other students — Deepika Madavi of Class 5 and Kavita Kiranga of Class 6 — along with Samruddhi Naitam, are also undergoing treatment.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis himself is the Guardian Minister of Gadchiroli district. "I have also received such news [of the snakebite and student deaths]. I have asked for more information in this regard," the Chief Minister was quoted as saying by TV9 Marathi.
It was not known which breed of snake bit the students and if it was caught from the premises. A probe is also likely to look into the fact if there was a delay in ensuring medical assistance to the affected students. More details are awaited.
