Mangaluru, Karnataka: In a surprising turn of events, 45 inmates from the Mangaluru district jail ended up in the hospital on Wednesday after what seems to be food poisoning from their lunch. It all started when they began feeling intense stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea right after their meal. The jail team jumped into action, quickly getting all the affected inmates to the government-run Wenlock Hospital for immediate help.

Out of the group, one inmate is in really bad shape and has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This whole incident has raised big questions about the quality of food and hygiene standards in prisons.

Inmates Fell Sick After Eating Rice and Sambar

According to some officials, the lunch served to the inmates included rice and sambar, with their breakfast being 'avalakki' (flattened rice, also known as poha). The food poisoning symptoms kicked in around 3 PM when several inmates started complaining about stomach pain and nausea. As things took a turn for the worse for many, the jail authorities decided it was time to get them to the hospital with police support.

Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal confirmed what happened, saying:

Right after lunch, a lot of prisoners started feeling really sick with severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Seeing how quickly things were getting worse, we made sure to get them to the hospital right away. Medical teams are keeping a close eye on their condition."

Food Samples Sent for Lab Testing

After the outbreak, the jail officials teamed up with health department staff to figure out what went wrong. They collected samples of the food that was served to the inmates and sent them off to a lab for testing.

Medical experts think that it might be due to bacterial contamination or spoiled food. They're also looking into whether poor food handling, unhygienic cooking practices, or expired ingredients had anything to do with it. A senior health officer mentioned:

We’re digging deep to get to the bottom of this poisoning issue. The lab results should tell us if it’s bacterial, toxins, or something else that contaminated the food."

One Inmate in Critical Condition, Others Stabilizing

While most of those affected are dealing with it and responding well to treatment, one inmate is still in critical condition and is receiving intensive care.

Doctors at Wenlock Hospital have assured that necessary medical interventions are being provided.

Authorities have increased monitoring of the remaining inmates in the jail to detect any further health complications. Jail staff have also been directed to review food storage, handling, and preparation practices to prevent future incidents.

Concerns Over Food Safety in Indian Prisons

This incident has once again highlighted the poor food standards in Indian jails. Overcrowding, lack of hygiene, and inadequate food safety measures have been persistent issues in many correctional facilities across the country.

Legal and human rights activists have raised concerns, demanding immediate reforms. One advocate for prisoners’ rights commented:

Prisoners, regardless of their offenses, deserve access to safe and hygienic food. It is the duty of the authorities to ensure their basic rights are upheld. This incident should serve as a wake-up call for prison administrations across the country."

Authorities Promise Stringent Action

In response to public outcry, the district administration has ordered a thorough probe into the incident. If negligence is found, strict action will be taken against those responsible. Jail officials will be held accountable for any lapses in food safety protocols.

A senior official assured:

We are taking this matter very seriously. Any negligence found in food handling, storage, or procurement will lead to disciplinary action. We will also implement stricter hygiene standards in prison kitchens.