Five female students of Dr BR Ambedkar Social Welfare Residential Gurukul College for Women in Tamarapalli, located within the Narsannapeta Assembly Constituency, fell victim to a shocking incident on the night of August 26, 2024. Reports reveal that these students were bitten by mice while they were asleep in their hostel, which had been plagued by a severe rat infestation.
The students affected by this unfortunate event include Rohini, a second-year intermediate student, along with first-year students Harika, Balamani, Sravanti, and Soujanya. Despite the incident occurring on a Monday night, it was only brought to light on Wednesday, raising concerns about the safety measures in place at the college.
Upon discovery of the students’ injuries, the college staff promptly administered first aid before promptly transferring them to a nearby community health center in Narasannapeta for thorough medical assessment, including blood tests and vaccinations. The incident has sparked fear among both students and parents regarding the escalating rodent problem in the Visakhapatnam area, prompting calls for more stringent pest control protocols from the college authorities.
Assuring the public of proactive measures, the college principal stated that immediate actions had been taken to avert future mishaps. These measures include sealing rat entry points, utilizing rat mats, and installing protective mesh throughout the dormitory premises. “The safety and well-being of our students are our utmost priority, and we have implemented all necessary precautions,” the principal reassured.
In the wake of this distressing occurrence, District Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundarkar expressed concerns for the students’ welfare and instructed the Joint Director of Animal Husbandry, V Jayaraju, to tackle the rampant rat infestation. Subsequently, a comprehensive sanitation drive has been initiated, rodenticides distributed, and rodent capture cages installed to mitigate the rodent menace effectively.
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