Lizard found in potato curry at Bhopal school hostel, 13 children fall ill

Thirteen students fell ill after allegedly being served potato curry containing a lizard at a school hostel in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The children, studying in Classes 6 to 9, complained of vomiting and diarrhoea after eating the food and were taken to the city's Jaiprakash (JP) Hospital for treatment.All 13 children are currently reported to be in stable condition, according to school authorities and doctors.The incident took place at the Shramodaya Vidyalaya school's hostel in the Ratibad area, raising questions over food safety and hygiene standards in the institution's canteen.Parents of the affected students alleged that the school or hostel management did not inform them promptly about their children's condition. They said they learnt about the incident through the school's group and rushed to JP Hospital. The parents alleged that the children had been served potato curry in which a lizard was found.Shramodaya Vidyalaya principal Ratna Dubey said the incident occurred due to the canteen operator's negligence. She confirmed that 13 children had fallen ill and were admitted to JP Hospital. Dubey said she visited the hospital to check on the students and issued a notice to the canteen operator. She also said strict action would be taken in the matter.JP Hospital duty doctor Ratnesh Jain said the children were brought to the hospital after complaining of vomiting and diarrhoea. A medical team began treatment immediately, and all the children are currently stable and under medical observation.Ratibad police are investigating the incident after receiving a complaint from the parents, station house officer Rambabu Singh said. He added that appropriate legal action would be taken against the canteen operator based on the findings of the investigation.The incident has raised concerns over the quality of food served to students in residential schools, kitchen hygiene and checks conducted before meals are served.- Endswith inputs from Dharmendra Sahu