In an shocking incident, eight school-going girls have been admitted to hospital after a group of unidentified miscreants threw colors laced with chemical as a part of the Holi celebrations. The distressing event occurred in Suvarnagiri Tanda near Lakshmeshwara, Gadag district of Karnataka on Friday. Following the attack using adulterated Holi colors, the victims, who were waiting at a bus stand, developed severe chest pain and breathing issues.
As per the reports, the gang of youths arrived on motorbikes at the spot and began throwing colors at the girls, despite the students protesting against it. Although the students, studying in Class 8 and 9 in Uma Vidyalaya High School, pleaded that they have to write their exams, the youths did not listen and started spraying chemical-laced Holi colors on them. Preliminary investigations revealed that the chemical-laced liquid contained a dangerous mixture of cow dung, eggs, phenol, and synthetic dyes. Upon exposure, the young aspirants unknowingly inhaled or ingested little amounts of the harmful substance, leading to discomfort and severe health complications.
Even though the perpetrators immediately fled the crime scene on bikes, the police have already detained two boys in connection with the incident. The investigation is ongoing, with special teams formed to track down the culprits as soon as possible. Parents of the victims expressed outrage at the hospital, demanding swift justice. The authorities visited the hospital and assured the students' families that stringent actions would be taken against the miscreants.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and concern among the public over the safety of children during festivals. The authorities are reviewing security measures to prevent similar disturbing incidents in the future, especially during festival seasons.
This disgraceful event is not just a one-time incident; it is a recurring issue during festival seasons. The recent occurrence highlights the darker side of festive celebrations, where harmful and illegal practices are being conducted by youngsters without any supervision. The use of chemical-laced colors poses serious health complications and underscores the necessity of stricter rules and regulations. Similar incidents in the past have emphasized the significance of public awareness about such wrongdoings during festivals.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Jithin Paul/MSM)