Dead monkey found in Assam college water tank; students fall ill

A dead monkey was found in a hostel water tank at Assam Engineering College in Guwahati, and students who drank the water fell ill. Reports put the number of affected students at 43 and 54.

The tank was checked on Sunday, 2 November, after students raised repeated complaints about the quality of the water. Students who inspected the tank found the carcass inside. One report said the discovery came when students decided to look into the tanks themselves.

The students who drank the water experienced minor illnesses. Local healthcare facilities gave them medical attention. The sources do not give details of the symptoms or any treatment beyond this.

College response

The college administration cleaned and disinfected the affected tank. It also moved students to another hostel. The sources do not say whether the college has launched an inquiry or whether the water supply to other buildings has been tested.

The incident raises questions about water safety in student hostels, a concern that affects thousands of young people living away from home in cities across India. Parents and students who rely on hostel water supplies may want to ask their institutions how tanks are cleaned and checked.

What is not yet known is how the monkey got into the tank, how long the water was contaminated, and whether the college will be held responsible. The sources also do not say how the two different student numbers came about. Further details are expected from the college or local authorities.