Babu reviews Devarapalli ashram hostel illness incident

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu conducted an urgent review meeting on Sunday regarding the sudden illness of students at the Devarapalli Ashram Boys Hostel in Rampachodavaram of Polavaram district. The Chief Minister directed officials to submit a comprehensive report on the incident by Sunday and ordered strict action against those found responsible for negligence.

According to officials, as many as 92 students from the hostel developed symptoms such as vomiting, stomach pain, fever, and diarrhea after consuming breakfast on Friday morning. The affected students were immediately shifted to hospitals in Maredumilli and Rampachodavaram for medical treatment.

During the review, senior officers informed the Chief Minister that prompt medical attention had been provided and that the health condition of all students is now stable. They explained that a medical team was rushed to the hostel soon after the incident, and preliminary inspections were carried out to assess hygiene and food safety conditions.

Authorities also stated that remaining students at the hostel underwent medical check-ups, and those showing mild symptoms were treated on the spot. A special medical camp has been set up at the premises to continuously monitor the situation.

Officials further informed that food and drinking water samples from the hostel have been collected and sent for laboratory analysis to determine the exact cause of the illness. A Joint Inspection Committee has also been constituted to conduct a detailed inquiry into the matter.

Expressing serious concern over the incident, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu instructed health officials to closely monitor the condition of students undergoing treatment at Rampachodavaram Area Hospital. He directed that updates on their health status be communicated to him regularly.

The Chief Minister ordered the district collector to ensure that a complete investigation report is submitted by the next day. He made it clear that any lapses in food safety, hygiene standards, or administrative oversight would not be tolerated. “Those responsible for this incident must be identified without delay. Strict departmental action should be initiated, and if required, criminal proceedings must also be taken,” Chandrababu Naidu emphasized.

The Chief Minister also instructed officials to review food supply systems and sanitation standards in all residential schools and hostels across the state to prevent recurrence of such incidents.