Lohardaga, July 8: A 12 year old girl died and another was referred to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi after a krait snake bit four students sleeping in the girls’ dormitory of a residential school in Jharkhand’s Lohardaga district, police said on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at Sanvasira Higher Secondary Residential School in Rocho Mahuva Toli under the Kudu police station limits, where the students, aged between 12 and 13 years, were staying on the campus.
The deceased was identified as Varsha Oraon, a resident of Alaudi Nawatoli under Senha police station. She was rushed to Lohardaga Sadar Hospital along with three other students after the snakebite but succumbed during treatment.
Another student, Fulmania Oraon, was referred to RIMS, Ranchi, after her condition turned critical. Manisha Kumari is undergoing treatment at Lohardaga Sadar Hospital, while Anisha Oraon received treatment after sustaining snakebite injuries, officials said.
According to school authorities, the snake entered the dormitory while the girls were asleep. Teachers immediately shifted all the injured students to the hospital after hearing their cries.
“We are not sure how the snake entered the room. All the students were taken to the hospital immediately after the incident,” School Director Anup Oraon said.
Kudu police station officer-in-charge Ajit Kumar said police had launched an investigation after receiving information about the incident.
“The body of the deceased student was handed over to her family after the post-mortem. We are investigating all aspects of the case,” Kumar said, adding that the probe is also based on a written complaint submitted by the deceased student’s father.
The school building is reportedly under construction, with students residing on the campus. The incident triggered panic and grief among students and staff and has raised concerns over safety measures, hostel maintenance, cleanliness and protection against snake intrusion during the monsoon season.
