At least 31 students of Mamudnagar High School in Nagarpur upazila, Tangail fell ill on Tuesday after drinking water from a tube-well suspected to have been poisoned with pesticides.
The incident occurred around 10:30am in Mamudnagar Union when students began vomiting shortly after drinking from the school’s tube-well before heading to their classes.
According to hospital sources, at least 31 students received treatment at Nagarpur Sadar Health Complex.
Of them, 29 students have been admitted, while two were referred to Tangail Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment due to their critical condition.
Five other students were given first aid and advised to rest at home. It was noted that most of the affected students are female.
Md Mostafizur Rahman, the acting headmaster of Mamudnagar High School, said a white, cream-like paste wrapped in polythene was recovered from beside the tube-well. He expressed his suspicion that this substance was deliberately mixed into the water, causing the poisoning.
Students and teachers alleged that unidentified individuals may have applied liquid agricultural pesticide to the tube-well earlier that morning.
Distraught parents and students have demanded a swift investigation and exemplary punishment for those responsible.
Md Johurul Islam, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Nagarpur Police Station, confirmed that police have inspected the school premises.
“We are investigating the matter thoroughly. Those currently hospitalised are reported to be in stable condition,” the OC added.
