Panic gripped Dahanadha village in Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, when 35 schoolchildren were found with self-inflicted cuts on their hands from blades, pins, and sharp thorns. What began as a peer dare spiraled into a terrifying ordeal, exposing vulnerabilities in rural schooling.
According to preliminary probes, the students mutually assigned this gruesome challenge, mimicking one another in a dangerous imitation game. No traces of substance abuse, occult practices, or witchcraft have been detected, quelling initial rumors.
The matter reached officials on February 13, with medical checks on February 18 confirming injuries. An ongoing inquiry by the SDM aims to uncover full details.
In response, the principal received a stern notice from DEO Abhay Jaiswal, requiring explanations soon. Any staff involvement or oversight will face severe repercussions, district officials warned.
School head Puneet Ram Sahu highlighted prompt reporting and continuous counseling efforts post-February 16 to gauge psychological impacts and avert future risks.
Agitated parents highlighted the stark contrast in their children’s home behavior, slamming inadequate supervision. Calls grow for fortified safety measures and routine mental health interventions. Collector Avinash Mishra committed to unearthing provocateurs through exhaustive investigation, ensuring justice.
As the community reels, this episode serves as a stark reminder of how quickly innocent games can turn deadly without proper guidance and awareness.