Mid-Day Meal Death Toll at 22, Chhapra on Boil

The death toll in yesterday’s Mid-Day Meal (MDM)) food poisoning, has reached 22 with the death of 10 more kids in the night. At least 25 kids are still be treated, while 10 of them are said to be critical. The serious schoolchildren have been shifted to Patna. The woman, who prepared the food and her two children too died. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the dead children.

Hundreds of people have gone on a rampage in Chhapra and protested outside the DM’s residence. They also set police vehicles on fire and damaged the public properties, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and strong action against the guilty.

The RJD and BJP have gone on an offensive to slam Nitish Kumar. Both parties have called for a bandh in Chhapra. A probe has been ordered into the shocking tragedy, which claimed the lives of 20 innocent kids. A sabotage is not ruled out at this juncture. The school authorities suspect poisoning of ‘Khichdi’.