265 BSAP trainee jawans suffer food poisoning, 935 camps launch hunger strike

A serious case of food poisoning affected 265 trainee jawans of the Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP) stationed at the Bhimnagar camp in Supaul district on Sunday. Among those affected, six jawans are reported to be in critical condition, while 20 others have been admitted to the sub-divisional hospital in Veerpur. The incident has sparked outrage among the jawans, leading all 935 trainees at the camp to go on a hunger strike, demanding an impartial investigation into the matter.

The trainees had consumed a meal of Puri, Jalebi, and Kabuli Chana ki Sabzi at around 8:30 AM on Sunday. By the afternoon, some jawans began experiencing symptoms of food poisoning, with conditions worsening between 1:30 and 2 PM. Despite their deteriorating health, they were reportedly not permitted to seek medical attention outside the camp, receiving only basic medicine within the facility. It wasn't until the evening, when the situation became critical, that around 50-60 jawans were rushed to the sub-divisional hospital in Veerpur. The number of affected jawans soon swelled to 265 by 10:30 PM.

Most of the jawans were discharged from the hospital after receiving first aid, with the condition of all trainees reportedly stable by Monday morning. However, anger over the incident has escalated, with the jawans voicing serious allegations against the camp commandant and the overall management at the training center.

The trainees, who have been at the camp for PTSI training for the past one and a half months, have accused the camp authorities of consistently serving poor-quality food and neglecting their complaints. Additionally, they claim that the training center is overcrowded, with a classroom designed for 400 candidates being used to train 935 jawans, forcing many to sit on the floor during sessions.

In response to the incident and the alleged mismanagement, the trainee jawans have initiated a hunger strike as of Monday morning, refusing to eat until a thorough investigation is conducted. They have called on senior officials, including the DIG and IG, to intervene and ensure a fair probe into the situation.