What Caused Over 150 People to Fall Ill After Eating Prasad in Bengal's West Midnapore?
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Synopsis
A community puja in West Midnapore turned alarming as over 150 attendees fell ill after consuming prasad. The incident has sparked concerns over food safety and health protocols during public gatherings. Medical teams are on-site to assist the victims. What led to this unfortunate event, and how is the local administration responding? Read on for more insights.
Key Takeaways
- Over 150 individuals fell ill after consuming prasad.
- A medical camp was established to treat the victims.
- Authorities are investigating the potential causes of illness.
- Five people were hospitalized due to critical symptoms.
- The incident highlights the need for food safety protocols in public events.
Kolkata, Oct 19 (NationPress) Over 150 individuals experienced illness following the consumption of prasad during a puja in the Daspur locality of West Bengal's West Midnapore district, as reported by local authorities on Sunday.
As per police reports, a community 'manasa puja' was held in the region on Saturday night, drawing a significant crowd eager to partake in the puja prasad.
Shortly after consuming the prasad, attendees began to exhibit symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
The affected group included a considerable number of women and children.
A medical camp was swiftly established on Sunday morning to provide care for those who fell ill.
Officials from the block administration promptly arrived at the scene. However, chaos ensued in the Suratpur village, which falls under the Daspur police jurisdiction.
A senior official from the West Midnapore police shared that the 'manasa puja' has been a longstanding tradition in the village.
On the night of the event, the puja committee served a khichri meal as the prasad for attendees.
"Over 300 individuals consumed the prasad. Unfortunately, more than half of them started showing signs of vomiting and diarrhea. The authorities were alerted immediately," stated the police officer.
Daspur Block Development Officer, Dipankar Biswas, has coordinated medical assistance for those who became ill since Saturday evening.
A health department medical camp has been deployed in the vicinity.
Initial treatment is currently being administered there.
Biswas visited the village on Sunday morning to assess the ongoing situation.
Daspur Panchayat Samiti President, Sukumar Patra, also rushed to the site.
According to the police, five individuals were transferred to the hospital due to their critical condition.
Water samples from the area have been collected for analysis.
Investigations are underway to determine whether there are any issues related to the water supply.
Conversely, Patra assured that the situation is now under control.
Point of View
The incident in West Bengal raises significant questions about public health measures during large gatherings. The swift response from local authorities highlights the importance of prompt medical intervention in such crises. As we continue to monitor the situation, it is essential to prioritize health and safety protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
NationPress
19/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What health issues were reported after the puja?
Over 150 individuals reported symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea after consuming prasad during the puja.
What actions were taken by the authorities?
A medical camp was established, and local officials arrived to provide assistance and assess the situation.
Was any food suspected to be contaminated?
Investigations are ongoing to determine if there were any health risks associated with the prasad or water supply.
How many people were hospitalized?
Five individuals were reported to be in critical condition and were transferred to the hospital.
What is the current status of the situation?
Local leaders have stated that the situation is now under control and medical efforts are ongoing.
