Canteen at Periyar govt college shut after students fall ill

Trichy: The canteen at Thanthai Periyar Govt Arts and Science College has been shut following six students fell ill after they shared a soft drink bottle that allegedly contained a tail of a reptile. The students are stable.The students were taken to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Govt Hospital (MGMGH) on Wednesday after consuming the drink purchased from the canteen. The students reported to the doctors that they found what appeared to be a tail of a skink in the bottle. "The students found the taste unusual when they took a sip. Upon closer inspection, they noticed a tail-like object inside the bottle. The canteen has been closed, and our council will decide on further course of action," said principal K Angammal.Sources said food safety personnel collected samples from the bottle and sent them for tests. The food safety department will also inspect the soft drink manufacturing unit at Somarasampettai. The designated food safety officer was unavailable for a comment. Condemning the incident, a section of students led by SFI district president G K Mohan undertook a protest in front of the college demanding a thorough investigation. "Fortunately, the students are stable. What if something serious had happened? A police complaint was also registered over the issue," Mohan said.