Faeces found in government school water tank in Dindigul

In a shocking incident, faeces was reportedly found in a drinking water tank of a government school at Manoor near Palani in Dindigul district. This is the second such incident reported in the district in recent times.

According to the police, over 120 students study at the Manoor Panchayat Union Primary School, located within the Keeranur police station limits.

The incident was reported when the school reopened on October 5 after the quarterly examination break. The headmaster got the water tank cleaned.

The issue was also raised during the Parent-Teacher Association and School Management Committee meeting held at the school on Wednesday. Enraged by the incident, parents staged a protest and accused the school administration of negligence on student safety.

As the situation escalated, Dindigul Superintendent of Police S. Jeyakumar visited the school and inspected the water tank on the premises. He issued instructions to the police to take swift action and arrest those involved in the offence.

Acting on a complaint lodged by the headmaster, the Keeranur police registered a case under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). An investigation is under way.

District education officials also visited the school and held meetings with the parents and the school authorities.

The headmaster said cleaning work had been undertaken to prevent students from drinking water from the contaminated tank, and the issue had been reported to higher authorities.

In August, faeces was found near the water tank of a Government Higher Secondary School at Thangamapatti in the district. A notice was also found near the water tank.

However, when the authorities found the notice, it was wet and the text was illegible. Dindigul Superintendent of Police S. Jeyakumar had visited the school and inspected the water tank.