Two arrested for assaulting NCC officer after Kerala camp food poisoning incident

NEW DELHI: Two individuals were arrested for assaulting a senior officer at an NCC camp held at KMM College in Thrikkakara, Kerala, following a suspected case of food poisoning that affected 86 cadets, news agency PTI reported.


"In the Thrikkakara camp incident, two people have been arrested who were involved in the manhandling of the officer from the forces (Army). further probe is underway. Legal action will be initiated against those who are involved," P Vimaladitya, Police Commissioner, Kochi told ANI.

The incident occurred on Monday night when parents, angered by reports of food poisoning at the camp, gathered at the college. According to the FIR, the accused, identified as an SFI district secretariat member and a BJP councillor from the Kalamassery municipality, threatened and attacked the officer. One of the accused allegedly stabbed Singh with a sharpened object, injuring his cheek, neck, and back, TOI had reported.

Also read: 2 kitchen workers did not have health cards: Officials

The NCC camp, part of a 10-day Combined Annual Training Camp organised by the 21 Kerala Battalion NCC, faced criticism after the health department found that the kitchen operated under unhygienic conditions. Inspections revealed that two of the seven kitchen workers lacked mandatory health cards. Food, water, and stool samples were collected for testing to determine the exact cause of the suspected food poisoning.

The affected cadets were taken to local hospitals and discharged by Tuesday morning. NCC officials reported that the camp was temporarily halted and would resume on December 26 after ensuring proper safety measures.

In response to the incident, a departmental inquiry has been launched under Brigadier Suresh G, NCC Group Commander of Kollam, to investigate the food poisoning. Additionally, Kerala’s minister of higher education, R Bindu, announced a separate probe led by principal secretary Ishita Roy.