35 Chhattisgarh govt school students injure wrists in Dhamtari; ‘copycat’ behaviour under probe

RAIPUR: At least 35 students of a govt middle school in Chhattisgarh's Dhamtari district were found with cut marks on their wrists, triggering tension among parents and school education department.The case pertains to the Government Middle School in Dahadaha village in Kurud block, where the students of class 6, 7 and 8 were found with several cut marks on their wrists. Though the injuries are believed to be around 20–25 days old, the matter came to light only recently after a parent complained to the school principal about the wounds on a child’s wrist. On closer examination, similar healed cuts were found on dozens of students.Preliminary findings suggest the children used sharp objects such as blades, pins and thorns to inflict superficial cuts near the wrist. Officials said most wounds had already healed and were visible only on close inspection.Taking cognisance, district administration and SP Suraj Singh Parihar constituted a joint team comprising officials from the education, health, revenue and police departments.The team visited the school, recorded statements of teachers and parents, and spoke to the students. According to a preliminary probe, police said, many students claimed they harmed themselves after seeing others do the same, indicating a possible case of peer imitation.“One student reportedly began the act, and others followed in a chain reaction,” police said. Authorities are examining whether the behaviour was linked to a dare, a social media trend or peer pressure, though no firm conclusion has been drawn yet.Earlier suspicions of substance abuse were also examined but have not been substantiated so far, police said.Officials said counselling of both students and parents is ongoing, and schools across the district have been asked to remain vigilant.