2 children die after taking ‘khichri’

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 27

Two children died while four other members were taken ill after they consumed poisonous ‘khichri’ at their home in Sunet village. The deceased brothers have been identified as Abhay (2) and Aryan (5). Their mother Pinku Rani, sister Shashi (10), brothers Sachin (12) and Sunny (7) are undergoing treatment at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH). Their condition is stated to be serious.

Pinku’s husband, Arun Shah is a fast food vendor in J Block, Sarabha Nagar.

Sarabha Nagar SHO Brij Mohan said on Friday evening, Pinku prepared “khichri’ which was consumed by the family. After having dinner, they all went to sleep. Early in the morning, all members of the family started vomiting. They initially did not take vomiting and loose motions seriously. Soon, their condition deteriorated.

First, Abhay was taken to the nearby private hospital where his condition remained critical and he died.

In the meanwhile, the condition of other five members also worsened and they were rushed to the DMCH. Aryan died at the hospital.

The condition of the other four was serious.

The SHO said the cause of children’s death was not clear and they were awaiting the viscera report.

The police suspected someone might have mixed some poisonous substance in the “khichri”. They were checking footage of CCTV cameras installed in the area to know whether any unknown person entered the house. The police also questioned local residents.

Sources said the family had buried Abhay without informing the police but after the death of Aryan, the police told them not to perform the last rites without a post-mortem examination of the body. Aryan’s body was handed to his relatives after post-mortem.