Kochi food poisoning: Protests force closure of NCC camp
The protests erupted after the incident in which students began experiencing symptoms of food poisoning on Monday afternoon.
The protests erupted after the incident in which students began experiencing symptoms of food poisoning on Monday afternoon.
The protests erupted after the incident in which students began experiencing symptoms of food poisoning on Monday afternoon.
Kochi: Following protests by parents over a suspected food poisoning incident in which 75 cadets were hospitalised, authorities shut down the 21 Kerala Battalion NCC camp at KMM College, Thrikkakara, in the wee hours of Tuesday.
The protests erupted after students began experiencing symptoms of food poisoning on Monday afternoon. By evening, several cadets reported severe abdominal pain and exhaustion, with some collapsing. The affected students were shifted to Ernakulam Government Medical College, Kalamassery, and two private hospitals.
Frustrated by the lack of updates on their children’s condition, parents gathered outside the college and forced open the gates, demanding answers.
The protests developed into a conflict after parents sought a clear explanation about how the students fell ill, ultimately leading to the announcement of the camp’s cancellation. Many parents took their children home late at night on Monday or early on Tuesday.
Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas visited the location and interacted with the students. Health officials from Thrikkakara Municipality also inspected the premises as part of ongoing investigations.
The camp, which hosted 518 participants, has faced backlash for managing the crisis. Officials confirmed that the health of the affected cadets was stable. They said investigations are underway to determine the cause of the suspected food poisoning.