Meghalaya coal mine blast: Death toll climbs to 28
Shillong (PTI): The death toll in the illegal coal mine blast in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district has climbed to 28, with one more person succumbing to injuries at a hospital here, SP Vikash Kumar said on Monday.
"One injured person undergoing treatment at NEIGRIMS here succumbed today," the SP said, adding that the deceased has been identified as Raju Tamang.
The blast had occurred last week at an illegally operated coal mine in the remote Thangsku area of Mynsngat village.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced that the state government would order a judicial inquiry into the incident to ascertain the circumstances leading to the blast and fix responsibility.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police of East Jaintia Hills district deposed before the Meghalaya High Court in connection with the incident.
The High Court expressed distress over the occurrence of the blast and the continuing instances of illegal coal mining in the state, and sought details on the steps taken by the authorities to prevent such activities.
Eight others who were injured in the blast are still undergoing treatment at various hospitals, officials said.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
