16 IRB personnel in hospital for food poisoning,4 critical

Ashwini Yadav,a physician at the civil hospital,confirmed that 16 jawans were admitted for food poisoning. Out of 16,two — Pradeep and Nirmal — have already been discharged.

“The rest of them are still recuperating in the civil hospital. While 10 of the 14 cops are recovering fast and may be discharged early in the morning,four have severe abdominal cramps and have started vomiting. We are keeping them under close observation,” said Yadav.

Doctors said they were treating it for food poisoning as the pain and vomiting occurred at the same time,with all the 16 starting to feel the pain in unison.

“There could be two reasons for the poisoning. Either they consumed some vegetables that had toxins in them,or it was due to drinking contaminated water,” said Yadav.

Senior police officers said that as the jawans belonged to the IRB,the matter does not come under their jurisdiction. “We know of such an incident,but we cannot comment on it,” said Commissioner of Police S S Deswal. IRB officials were unavailable for comment.