Guwahati: More than 50 students of Assam Engineering College (AEC) have reportedly fallen ill after using contaminated water at the college hostel. The incident has raised serious concerns over drinking water safety and hygiene on the campus.
The shocking incident came to light after foul smell started coming from one of the water tanks at the hostel. When the tank was inspected, a dead monkey was found inside. According to reports, the animal had reportedly been lying in the tank for nearly a week.
The most concerning part of the incident is that students had been using water from the contaminated tank for their daily activities, including drinking and cooking. The same water was also reportedly used in the hostel mess for preparing food.
According to information, students had been using water from the tank since the Durga Puja period. The presence of the dead animal in the tank went unnoticed until students complained about the foul smell.
More than 50 students reportedly fell ill following the use of the contaminated water, and several students had to receive medical treatment.
The incident has raised serious questions about the maintenance and regular inspection of water tanks in the college hostels. Students have questioned how a dead monkey remained inside the tank for nearly a week without being noticed by the authorities.
It may be mentioned that students of Assam Engineering College had earlier staged protests over the shortage of drinking water on the campus. Despite those concerns, questions are now being raised about whether adequate steps were taken to ensure a regular supply of clean and safe drinking water.
Following the incident, students are seeking answers from the college authorities regarding the maintenance of water tanks and the quality of the water supplied to the hostels.
It remains to be seen what steps the college authorities will take to clean the water tanks, ensure proper water testing and prevent such incidents from happening again.
