Over 40 school students lost consciousness during a Gunotsav programme at Ramkrishnanagar Vidyapith in Assam’s Karimganj district. The incident, which initially occurred on Friday, witnessed around 50 students fainting, with some admitted to the local primary center. While some students recovered, panic ensued on Saturday when more students fainted during morning prayers.
Mostly affecting girl students from classes 5 to 9, the incident raised concerns among parents and teachers. Witnesses described students behaving strangely, screaming, and rolling on the ground during the morning assembly. Additional district commissioner, Dhrubajyoti Pathak, stated that while doctors attribute the issue to psychological factors and mental pressure, a team of psychiatrists has been called for further examination.
Amidst demands from guardians and locals to withdraw the Gunotsav programme, the district commissioner, Mridul Yadav, canceled the initiative and closed the school for three days for a thorough investigation. The incident has sparked concerns and calls for a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to the students’ fainting spells.