Baripada: Three schoolgirls were allegedly given drug-laced chocolates by unidentified persons near Burupalasa Primary School under Tiring police station in Mayurbhanj district, following which the girls reportedly fell unconscious and were hospitalised, officials and villagers said.
According to reports, the three girls were playing near the Burupalasa Primary School and an Anganwadi centre when three persons allegedly arrived on a scooter and tried to forcibly feed them chocolates. When the girls refused, the miscreants allegedly threatened them with dire consequences, following which the girls consumed the chocolates.
The girls subsequently fell unconscious, prompting villagers and school authorities to rush them to the Bahalda Community Health Centre. As their condition reportedly deteriorated, they were shifted to the Rairangpur Sub-Divisional Hospital for further treatment.
The girls include two Class 5 students and one Class 1 student.
On being informed, Tiring police reached the hospital and initiated an investigation into the alleged incident. Police have also launched a search for the persons allegedly involved.
However, there are differing accounts regarding the location of the incident. BEO Shubhashree Singh said the chocolates were allegedly given to the girls outside the school premises. Villagers, on the other hand, claimed that the girls were fed the chocolates inside the school premises and were later found unconscious there.
Villagers have also alleged that efforts were being made to suppress the incident, though the allegation could not be independently verified.
The incident has triggered panic among residents in the area. No case had reportedly been registered at the Tiring police station till the time of filing this report.
The exact nature of the substance allegedly contained in the chocolates and the circumstances leading to the girls’ illness are yet to be established. Police investigation is underway.
