Kerala NCC Cadets' Illness: Inquiry Rules Out Food Poisoning, Attributes Issue To Dehydration

On the evening of December 23, several NCC cadets reported feeling unwell and were promptly taken to the Government Medical College for treatment.

The rumours of food poisoning spread rapidly through local media, prompting parents, media personnel and student political activists to gather outside the camp.

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The illness reported among NCC cadets at an annual training camp in Kochi on December 23 was caused by dehydration and not food poisoning, revealed a joint inquiry by the Army and Kerala medical authorities. Earlier, it was speculated that the cadets fell ill due to food poisoning. 

In a statement issued on Tuesday, National Cadet Corps (NCC) confirmed that dehydration was the root cause of the incident, which occurred during the camp organized by the 21 (Kerala) Battalion NCC under the Ernakulam Group. The camp was held at KMM College in Thrikkakara from December 20 and hosted 518 cadets, including 235 female participants. Lieutenant Colonel Karneyil Singh served as the Camp Commandant.

On the evening of December 23, several cadets reported feeling unwell and were promptly taken to the Government Medical College for treatment.

"They were found to be dehydrated and provided with proper treatment, and were discharged after the required rest." "The issue was wrongly interpreted as a case of food poisoning, which was later found to be false by the state medical authorities and the inquiry ordered by the Army," the NCC said, as per a report on PTI.

The rumours of food poisoning spread rapidly through local media, prompting parents, media personnel, and student political activists to gather outside the camp. The situation quickly escalated with the crowd allegedly threatening cadets, particularly female participants. The mob reportedly forced entry into the camp, damaged the gate, and physically assaulted the Camp Commandant and staff members.

According to the NCC, the intruders also made derogatory remarks and hurled insults at female cadets, further aggravating the situation. The Ernakulam Group Commander intervened promptly to restore order at the camp.

An investigation was initiated by NCC authorities to ascertain the circumstances leading to the incident. A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged at the Thrikkakara Police Station against those involved in the unauthorized entry, assault on uniformed officers, and disruption of the camp.

On Monday, two individuals were arrested in connection with the assault on Lieutenant Colonel Karneyil Singh.