33 girl students of EMRS in Nellore take ill after consuming ‘contaminated’ water

33 girl students of EMRS in Nellore take ill after consuming ‘contaminated’ water. DM&HO says their condition is stable. Following complaints from students and parents, principal Vishnu Pratap Shukla has been directed to handover charge to junior lecturer Vishnu Priya.

Thirty-three girl students of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) at Chandrasekharapuram of Kodavalur mandal in Nellore district have taken ill reportedly after consuming contaminated drinking water.

While 23 students fell ill on November 18 (Monday) night, the health of 10 others was affected on November 19 (Tuesday).

Responding to the calls of the parents late on November 18, Kovur MLA Vemireddy Prashanti Reddy rushed to the school and met the affected students. She promised to shift them to a private hospital, if necessary, and also initiate action against the school principal.

Later, Jana Sena Party (JSP) leader G. Kishore, along with a few Dalit leaders, visited the school.

He said, “The number of students in the school has decreased from 800 to 430. Staff shortage, delay in serving meals, insufficient toilets and lack of security personnel are some of the issues plaguing the school.”

The students faced certain difficulties in availing of the medical services on the campus. Three to four girls were sharing one bed, it was alleged.

Members of the A.P. Yanadi Welfare Association visited the school and staged a protest at the principal’s office on November 19.