Three Schoolgirls Hospitalised After Suspected Drug-Laced Chocolates Incident in Mayurbhanj

Baripada: Panic spread in a village in Mayurbhanj district after three schoolgirls allegedly fell unconscious after consuming chocolates reportedly handed to them by unidentified persons near Burupalasa Primary School under Tiring police limits.

The incident reportedly occurred when the girls, comprising two Class 5 students and a Class 1 student, were playing in the vicinity of the school and an Anganwadi centre. According to villagers, three persons riding a scooter approached the children and offered them chocolates.

The girls initially refused to take the chocolates. However, the unidentified persons allegedly threatened them, following which the children reportedly ate them. Shortly afterwards, the girls became unwell and lost consciousness.

Villagers and school authorities immediately took the children to Bahalda Community Health Centre. They were later shifted to Rairangpur Sub-Divisional Hospital after their condition reportedly deteriorated.

Tiring police were informed about the incident and reached the hospital to gather details. A search has also been launched to identify and trace the persons allegedly involved.

There is, however, a discrepancy over where the girls received the chocolates. BEO Shubhashree Singh said the children were allegedly given the chocolates outside the school campus. Some villagers claimed that the incident happened inside the school premises and that the girls were found unconscious there.

Residents have also raised allegations that attempts were made to downplay or suppress the matter, though the claim has not been independently established.

Police have not yet confirmed what substance, if any, was present in the chocolates. The exact circumstances that led to the girls falling ill are also yet to be ascertained.

An investigation into the incident is currently underway. No case had reportedly been registered at Tiring police station till the report was filed.