Probe launched into ‘food poisoning’

Two days after an alleged food poisoning incident involving three students of the Sriyan Dharam Pani Girls Primary School in Haripur, authorities have established an inquiry committee to investigate the matter.

According to sources, three young girls had fallen sick after consuming poisonous seeds. They revealed that the affected schoolgirls were taken to the Haripur Trauma Center two days ago, and they were subsequently treated and discharged.

Since the incident was reported, both the school administration and the principal claimed to be unaware of the situation. The head teacher of the girls' school, when contacted, asserted that no such incident had occurred until the end of the school day on Thursday. It was only after 9 o'clock that she received a call informing her that some girls from the school had fallen ill and were taken to the hospital.

Upon arriving at the hospital, she found no one there. On Friday, concerned parents of the affected girls visited the school and informed her that their daughters' health had not improved.

She further said as an act of compassion, she then took the girls back to the hospital for further treatment.

The incident came to public attention when it was shared on social media. Following this, the district education officer (DEO) took notice and established a two-member inquiry committee comprising female teachers.

The committee has been directed to investigate the incident and submit a report within two days. Parents of the affected girls have expressed the need for action against those responsible to prevent such incidents from happening again. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2023.