Siddaramaiah likens mixing pesticides in school tank to terrorist act

Shivamogga: Expressing dismay over miscreants mixing pesticides in the water tank of a government primary school in Huvinakone in Hosanagar taluk in Shivamogga district, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said that it reflected the “degradation of humanity” among a section of the people.

Taking to ‘X’ to vent his outrage over the incident, Siddaramaiah said, “It is no less than any terrorist act carried out with the malicious intent of committing mass murder of children.”

Lauding the kitchen staff, who noticed the strange smell in the water and averted a catastrophe, the CM added, “It was because of their presence of mind that a major tragedy was averted. I have instructed the police to conduct a proper investigation into the incident, identify the culprits and ensure they are punished.”

Shivamogga Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer N Hemanth, who inspected the school on Friday, instructed officials to put up a new water tank in place of the two old ones at the institution. He urged the staff at the school to convene a meeting with the parents of the schoolchildren to allay any fears they may have.

“This incident need not terrify anyone. The police department is committed to identifying the culprits and punishing them,” he said.

A holiday was declared for the school on Friday, and will remain closed on Saturday as well, with classes resuming from Monday.

The incident in question occurred on Thursday when the staff at the school’s kitchen found the water smelling of pesticides while washing their hands. They immediately alerted the teachers, who immediately alerted the local authorities. Hosanagar tahsildar Rashmi Halesh, Health Department staff, and cops visited the school, and tested the water. Tests confirmed that it was laced with pesticides. Thankfully, no student had had any water from the tap.