52 Assam Engineering College students fall ill after monkey carcass found in tank
Students at the Jalukbari hostel reported using contaminated water for cooking and bathing before discovering the animal in a storage tank.
More than 50 students of Assam Engineering College (AEC) in Guwahati fell ill after consuming water from a hostel tank containing a dead monkey, according to reports from Deccan Herald, The Sentinel and The Assam Tribune.
The incident occurred at Hostel No. 7 in Jalukbari after students returned from the Durga Puja vacation. Students had previously complained about a foul smell in the water, leading them to inspect the overhead tanks on Sunday.
Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital principal Pranabjyoti Baishya said 52 students were treated for fever, vomiting and stomach pain. While three students were referred for further medical attention, Baishya stated that all 52 were stable and had been discharged.
AEC principal Amrita Ganguly said the administration cleaned the water tanks and moved the hostel mess to a different location. She noted that 30 to 40 students had initially reported symptoms such as dysentery-like illness.
The principal added that the college faces a recurring issue with a large monkey population from a nearby hill. She said the institution has requested intervention from the Forest Department as it lacks the resources to manage the animals.
All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) president Utpal Sharma criticised the college's management, stating the institution was making headlines for the wrong reasons and urging officials to prioritise student health and hygiene.