Meghalaya CM Announces Aid As Another Student Dies of Food Poisoning in Karnataka

Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has declared an ex-gratia of ₹3 lakh to the family of a 13-year-old student from the state who died under tragic circumstances due to suspected food poisoning in Karnataka.

In his condolence message, Sangma promised all possible assistance to the bereaved family and promised to bear the medical cost of other affected children.

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), the Chief Minister stated, "Pained to hear about the death of another young boy from Meghalaya in Karnataka. My sincerest condolences to the family. Our Government will provide ex-gratia of ₹3 lakhs to the next of kin and also cover the medical expenses of all the sick children. Our team is present in Karnataka to help the families during this tragic time. Prayers for their recovery."

To counter the occurrence, the government of Meghalaya has sent an official two-member team to Karnataka to ascertain the conditions that led to the student's demise. The two include Sub-Inspector of Schools and Sub-Divisional School Education Officer P. Sunn and District MIS, PM-POSHAN, Shillong, R. Kharsyntiew. They will mainly collaborate with local government agents and victims' families in ensuring they take accurate information from them regarding the case.

The dead student, Khrehlang Khongtani from Lyndem village of Pynursla Civil Subdivision, was a Class VI student. He was one of 30 students who became critically ill after eating leftover food from Holi celebrations at an unauthorized hostel operated by a private school in T Kagepura village, Mandya district, Karnataka. Affected students had severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, with several of them needing immediate medical intervention and hospitalization.

Khrehlang's body was returned to his native village on Monday night, March 17, where his tearful family and community members came together to bid him farewell.

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