Hyderabad: Five students have been admitted to the hospital after being bitten by rats at the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Girls’ Hostel in Keshara Mandal of Medchal-Malkajgiri district. It is said that the attack took place while the students were sleeping.
Although the student was taken to Keshara Government Hospital for treatment, the parents have accused the hostel of ignoring the incident by saying that the hostel did not immediately inform them about the incident.
According to Dr Soundarya of Keshara Government Hospital, the student was treated for rat bite. However, the hostel denied the claim saying that the student was suffering from rash and itching and not due to rat bite and termed the report as baseless.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from student groups and parents, alleging negligence on the part of the hostel administration and endangering the safety of students. “The principal and staff are suppressing the truth and putting our children’s future at risk,” many parents alleged.
BRS MLA T. Harish Rao also responded, criticizing the Congress government’s handling of gurukul schools. In a post on X, he said, “Under Congress rule, students are suffering from rat bites, dog bites, snake bites and electric shocks but they are ignored.” He urged the government to take immediate action to address the security issues of the hostels and prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
Hostel premises are often poorly lit, which is believed to be one of the factors contributing to rat infestations. In response to the incident, authorities have installed additional lighting to prevent future attacks. More details about the condition of the students and the cleanliness measures of the hostel are awaited.