Report

Brigadier G. Suresh, the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Group Commander from Kollam, leads a committee investigating the alleged food poisoning incident at the NCC camp held at KMM College, Thrikkakara, on Monday. The acting additional director general of NCC directed the formation of the inquiry committee. Following a two-day pause due to the incident, the camp will resume on December 26, according to a statement by the officiating additional director general.

Details of the Affected Camp

The NCC Directorate of Kerala organized 17 camps during the Christmas break, including the Thrikkakara camp, which the 21 Kerala Battalion under the Ernakulam NCC Group Headquarters managed. On Monday afternoon, two female cadets reported feeling unwell. Subsequently, 13 more cadets experienced similar symptoms. Later, 47 additional cadets sought medical attention at the Government Medical College, Kalamassery. Medical staff treated the affected cadets at outpatient facilities and allowed them to return to the camp aftercare.

Unsanitary Kitchen Conditions

District health authorities and Thrikkakara municipality health officials reported that the camp’s kitchen operated under unsanitary conditions. The issue surfaced after lunch on Monday, when several cadets fell ill, and a few fainted by evening. K.R. Rajan, the District Medical Officer, confirmed the kitchen’s poor hygiene standards. “We collected four water and food samples, which food safety authorities will analyze. Stool samples from the affected cadets were also collected,” Dr. Rajan stated. Officials from the Thrikkakara municipality health wing verified the kitchen’s unsanitary state, where two out of seven workers lacked the required health cards. Organizers claimed they had obtained a temporary license to operate the kitchen.

Potential Causes of Contamination

Health officials collected water samples, suspecting contamination as the root cause. “While we served cadets hot ginger coffee, we believe cold running water might have mixed with the buttermilk served on Monday,” a municipal health official stated. Authorities at the Government Medical College, Kalamassery, confirmed food poisoning as the cause of the incident. A total of 86 cadets received treatment in the emergency department for severe abdominal pain and vomiting. While a few students stayed overnight for monitoring, the last cadet was discharged by Tuesday morning.

Parents Demand Accountability

The college hosting the camp faced tense moments when agitated parents stormed the gates, accusing the organizers of failing to provide timely updates about the incident on Monday night. The organizers assured the parents that they would fully cooperate with the investigation and improve communication moving forward.

Source: The Hindu