Dozens taken ill after taking food in `Langar’

Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, June 14: Over dozens of people were taken ill and also got hospitalized at Mendhar and Surankote after they took meals at community `Langar’ during religious programme at Chhajla in tehsil Mendhar on Wednesday.
Reports said on the third day of the Urs function at a religious place at Chhajla, hundreds of people of various parts of Poonch participated. Many of them took meals (Parsad) at the community Langar and also drank water from the local source. After reaching home in the evening, many of them fell ill. They started vomiting and making loose motions.
About a dozen persons were removed to Mandhar hospital since late last evening while many were taking treatment at their own places. In Surankote hospital also, about a dozen people are said to be admitted.
BMO, Mendhar, Dr Mumtaz Bhati said that a Medical team led by Dr Rajiv was sent to Chhajla to take water sample. It is believed that people have fallen ill due to taking unhygienic food or water. He said after identifying the cause corrective measures will be taken. Ailing patients are responding to the treatment, he maintained.