13 Handwara school girls hospitalised after inhaling pepper gas

Kupwara, Nov 2: At least thirteen girl students fell unconscious after inhaling pepper gas spray accidentally at Government Girls Higher Secondary School Handwara on Thursday.

An official of Government Girls Higher Secondary School Handwara said that a self defense programme was held recently in the school by an organisation during which girls were provided self defense kits which contained pepper gas spray.

“Although pepper gas spray was removed from the kits and kept under school custody, few girls managed to take kits along with pepper spray. One of the girls who was in possession of pepper spray had kept the kit in her bag. This afternoon due to leakage in the container, pepper gas spread in the classroom and 13 girls fell unconscious. They were shifted to District Hospital Handwara,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent District Hospital Handwara Dr Ajaz Ahmad confirmed to have admitted 13 girls to the hospital.
He said that all the girls were safe and there was nothing to worry about.
“All the girls have been discharged after giving them proper treatment,” he said.