Assam: Food supplier at CIT Kokrajhar girls’ hostel arrested over suspected food poisoning incident

The contractor responsible for supplying food to the girls’ hostel of the Central Institute of Technology (CIT), Kokrajhar, has been arrested in connection with the suspected food poisoning incident that left more than 50 students ill on September 26, police said.

The arrest came after Kokrajhar District Commissioner Pankaj Chakraborty lodged a case at Kokrajhar Sadar Police Station on Thursday in connection with the incident.

More than 50 students of Gambari Sikhla Girls’ Hostel at CIT, located in Balajan in Kokrajhar district, fell ill after consuming food at the hostel on September 26. The affected students were subsequently admitted to hospitals, where they received medical treatment.

The incident triggered protests on the CIT campus, with students demanding action against those responsible and accountability over the quality of food being supplied at the hostel.

Following the incident, authorities initiated action in connection with the suspected food poisoning case. The arrest of the food supplier marks a significant development in the investigation.

BTC Chief Executive Member Hagrama Mohilary had also raised concerns over the situation at the institution. Mohilary alleged that the Registrar and Director of CIT had failed to ensure a proper and conducive environment for students on the campus.

He said the situation at the institution was deteriorating and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.

The allegations regarding the cause of the students’ illness and responsibility for the incident are subject to investigation.