43 Assam Engineering College students fall ill, hostel evacuated after monkey found dead in water tank

GUWAHATI: As many as 43 students of Assam Engineering College (AEC) in Guwahati fell ill after consuming contaminated water and food prepared using it, following the death of a monkey in a hostel water tank on the college campus.The monkey reportedly drowned in the tank, contaminating the water supply used by students. Its carcass was found in the overhead water tank of Hostel No. 7.The incident came to light after some students staying in the hostel complained of a foul smell in the water, along with vomiting and stomach ache.AEC principal Dr Amrita Ganguly said, “Forty out of 80 students complained of minor illnesses such as vomiting and stomach ache, while three complained of diarrhoea. The students were provided treatment at the Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, which is near the college.”The principal added that doctors from the pathology department of Apollo Hospital visited the college on Tuesday to conduct blood tests on all 80 students staying in the hostel. “Now, the students are attending classes,” she said.Ganguly said the monkey was suspected to have drowned on Friday night, as some students had started complaining of stomach ache on Saturday.“The students were shifted to another hostel, and the water tank has been cleaned and disinfected,” she added.The incident has also brought attention to the recurring problem of monkey menace on the AEC campus.Ganguly said a hill behind the college was home to a large monkey population, with the animals frequently venturing onto the campus, particularly in the afternoons, in search of food.“Hundreds of monkeys enter the premises frequently. The monkeys often break the lids of water tanks. Our students cannot even play in the playground because of the monkeys. It has now become a safety concern for the students,” she said.The principal said a student was recently bitten by a monkey and had to undergo medical treatment, including anti-rabies treatment.She added that the college had written to the Forest Department two to three times, seeking intervention to address the problem.Ganguly said the college did not have the resources or equipment to tackle the growing monkey menace and urged the Forest Department to take appropriate measures.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Guwahati | Silver Rate in Guwahati | Bank Holidays in Guwahati | Public Holidays in Guwahati | Guwahati AQI | Weather in Guwahati | Petrol Price in Guwahati | Diesel Price in Guwahati | CNG Price in Guwahati | LPG Price in GuwahatiStay updated with the latest Guwahati news. Download the TOI App.