At least 10 police officers have fallen ill and lost consciousness after eating dinner at the Patikabari police camp under the Islamic University (IU) police station in Kushtia. They were taken to Kushtia general hospital and admitted.
Local and police sources said members of the Patikabari police camp had their evening meal at the usual time. The camp’s officer in charge, SI Moniruzzaman, said they ate rice with chicken and potato cooked at the camp that night. The reaction began immediately after they ate, at about 10pm.
Shortly after the meal, several developed symptoms one after another: dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, weakness and extreme drowsiness. About 10 officers then became seriously ill and lost consciousness, including the camp’s officer in charge, sub-inspector (SI) Moniruzzaman, and assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Shariful Islam.
Those taken ill are SI Kafil, SI Aminur, SI Muktar, SI Shariful, SI Moniruzzaman, SI Kamruzzaman, Rezaul, Monirul, Aminul and Nazrul.
Realising what was happening, people nearby and other members at the camp quickly took the sick officers to Kushtia general hospital. They were given first aid in the emergency department and admitted to various wards.
Hospital sources said the sick officers were treated quickly and are currently under doctors’ observation. The real cause of their illness has not yet been established.
Doctors’ initial view is that it may be food poisoning. Whether any toxic or sedating substance was mixed into the food can only be established after tests.
On hearing of the incident, senior district police officers went to the hospital to ask about the condition of the officers under treatment and spoke to the doctors.
The police administration has meanwhile begun an investigation, treating the matter seriously. Plates, dishes and food samples have been collected from the camp kitchen to check whether any toxic or sedating substance was mixed into the food. The cook responsible for the meal and others concerned are being questioned.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report