Balodabazar: Children suddenly fell ill in Khaparadih School of Balodabazar-Bhatapara district of Chhattisgarh. One by one the children started vomiting and some students fainted. The school administration immediately informed the parents of the students and the children were admitted to the District Hospital and Bhatapara Hospital, where their treatment is going on. The children have told the reason for their deteriorating health to be the smelly gas coming out of the cement plant.
On receiving the information, Collector Deepak Soni immediately reached Suhela Community Health Center to know the condition of the children. During this, he enquired about the condition of the children and instructed the medical officer to provide proper treatment. He has also taken cognizance of the children’s complaint regarding the cement plant and has ordered an investigation. At present, the real cause of the incident could not be ascertained.
Collector Deepak Soni said that today the children started vomiting and fainting in Khaparadih school. On which everyone has been brought for immediate treatment. Some children have been sent to the district hospital and Bhatapara and the rest are being treated at the Suhela Community Health Center. Everyone is fine.
He said that the situation is under control. Villagers and school children have reported the smell of gas coming out of the cement plant during interrogation, which is being investigated. The area has been sealed. Apart from this, the team of the Industry Department along with the Environment Department has been instructed to investigate. Further action will be taken after the investigation report. For now, the children will be shifted to another school so that their studies are not disturbed.
The children said that earlier also we and our parents have complained about the smell to the company-official, but no one listens to us. Today, when the number has increased, then the administration is waking up. This is happening due to pollution from cement.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rajesh Awasthi said that the condition of all the children is fine now. Some children were having difficulty in breathing, who have been sent to the district hospital. Some children have been sent to Bhatapara, the rest are being treated at Suhela Community Health Center. The reasons for the incident are being investigated.
Let us tell you that there are about eight to ten cement plants in Balodabazar-Bhatapara district, whose fire resource (FR) gases are very smelly. Such complaints are from almost all the villages adjoining the cement plants. The matter has also been raised prominently in the public hearing, but the administration did not take cognizance.
After this incident with school children, protests have started at Shri Cement Plant. Now it has to be seen what action the administration takes after this incident.
