CHANDIGARH: Two children died of food poisoning at an ashram for mentally challenged children in Kapurthala, Punjab, while another 31 were taken ill and hospitalised after they started vomiting on Tuesday morning.
Jyoti, 15, died on Monday night while Chotu, 14, died at the civil hospital on Tuesday morning. The other children are still undergoing treatment.
A total of 33 children lived at Sukhjit Ashram near the Kapurthala Railway Station. The children were served food on Monday by people who have not yet been identified. Further, the ashram authorities have not made any entry in the register about the identity of those who served the food.
Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner Jaskiran Singh said, “The cause of deaths is not yet clear but an inquiry has been ordered. If the ashram officials are found guilty, strict action will be taken against them.”
He said the administration would ensure the children got proper treatment. As a precautionary measure, all 31 children have been put under observation after around seven of them showed symptoms of food poisoning and were rushed to the civil hospital, he added.
Kapurthala civil surgeon H S Kahlon said, “Our team visited the ashram and collected food and water samples.”