Students fall ill at Assam Engineering College after monkey carcass found in tank
More than 40 students at a Jalukbari hostel became unwell after using water from a storage tank containing a dead monkey.
More than 40 students at Assam Engineering College (AEC) in Jalukbari have reportedly fallen ill after using water from a hostel storage tank containing a monkey's carcass, according to reports by The Assam Tribune and The Sentinel.
The incident was discovered on November 2 after students at Hostel No. 7 noticed an unusual smell in their water supply. An inspection later revealed the carcass inside the tank, which had reportedly been there for nearly a week.
The hostel had been closed during the Durga Puja holidays, leaving the tank uncovered. Students used the water for drinking and preparing food at the hostel mess upon their return.
The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) criticised the institution's management of student welfare. AASU president Utpal Sharma said the college was making headlines for the wrong reasons and urged the administration to prioritise hygiene.
Following the discovery, the college administration directed students to undergo medical check-ups at the Ayurvedic Hospital near the campus. The water tank has since been cleaned.
While some students have recovered, others remain under treatment, with two students hospitalised in Guwahati. The results of medical tests and the specific cause of the illnesses are not yet available.