Two Class VIII students, Varshini and Pallavi, from the APSWR Junior residential school in Kondapuram, were bitten by a snake in their hostel early Monday morning, November 4.
The incident, which occurred around 1 am, left the students in critical condition, requiring immediate medical attention. They were rushed to hospitals in Kadapa and Proddatur for treatment, highlighting a severe concern regarding safety protocols at the school.
Reports indicate that the students did not receive timely medical assistance due to the absence of hostel staff during the incident. This delay in care, which lasted several hours, has drawn significant criticism from student organizations. Parents were reportedly not informed promptly, exacerbating concerns about the administration's response. Leaders from the All India Students' Federation (AISF) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) visited Varshini at Nagadastagiri Private Hospital in Proddutur to express their outrage over the situation, emphasizing the lack of supervision and support from the hostel staff.
AISF District Secretary A Valaraju condemned the negligence displayed by the hostel authorities, pointing to the school principal and staff's responsibility in ensuring student safety. He called for the administration to cover the medical expenses incurred by the students until their full recovery and demanded the suspension of Principal Krishnaveni for her role in the incident.
In light of the complaints, the issue has been escalated to District Superintendent of Police V Harshavardhan Raju and In-charge Collector Aditi Singh. Both officials have pledged to address the situation, promising enhanced medical assistance for the affected students and a review of the safety protocols in place at the school. The incident raises critical questions about student safety and the adequacy of supervision in educational institutions, prompting calls for immediate reforms to prevent future occurrences.