Meghalaya Govt Rushes Special Team to Karnataka After Class VII Child From State Kerlang Dies at an Unauthorised Hostel

Sunday Kerlang who hailed from Lyndem village under the Pynursla Civil Subdivision died after consuming leftover food at the hostel

The Meghalaya government has taken swift action following the tragic death of 13-year-old Kerlang in a Karnataka hostel and rushed a special team of senior Education Department officials to assess the situation and ensure the well-being of the other affected students from Meghalaya.

Besides the death of Kerlang, a Class VII student who was living at an unauthorised hostel in Mandya, Karnataka, 29 other students were hospitalised due to severe food poisoning. One student is on ventilator and seven are in a critical condition.

The Director of School Education and Literacy, Meghalaya, Shillong, has deputed P. Sunn, Sub Inspector of Schools, Subdivisional School Education Officer, Shillong, and R. Kharsyntiew, District MIS, PM-POSHAN, Shillong.

The two-member team will coordinate with the local District Administration in Mandya and provide necessary support to the students from Meghalaya who are still recovering.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has expressed his deepest condolences to the family of Kerlang. The Chief Minister assured that the Meghalaya government is closely monitoring the situation and will extend all possible assistance to the affected students and their families.

Following the report of the unfortunate demise of a 13 year old boy from Meghalaya in Karnataka, a team has been deputed to coordinate with the local District Administration to enquire into the matter and at the same time to look into the wellbeing of the other remaining students… pic.twitter.com/3ZxMuZbMQD

— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) March 17, 2025

Meghalaya’s Sunday Kerlang Dies After Consuming Hostel Food in Karnataka

Kerlang hailed from Lyndem village under the Pynursla Civil Subdivision.

Kerlang and other students staying at a hostel of the Gokul Educational Institution’s residential school in T Kagepura village were reportedly served leftover food prepared for Holi celebrations, which led to severe vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration.

Out of the school’s 202 students, 30 mostly from Meghalaya and some from Nepal were staying in the hostel.

According to reports, the Gokul Educational Institution’s residential school has been operating without a licence since 1989. The school was illegally housing students on the first floor of the building without proper hostel facilities, including toilets.

According to reports, the hostel followed a questionable practice of providing students with leftover food collected from nearby celebrations, events, or weddings. On Friday, a feast organised in Malavalli for Holi celebrations served vegetable pulao and chutney. The leftover food was later distributed to the hostel students.

The Mandya police have launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of three individuals-the school owner, hostel warden, and cook on charges of negligence and causing death by unsafe food practices.

Also Read: Meghalaya Class 6 Student Dies After Consuming Hostel Food in Karnataka, 29 Others Hospitalised

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