20 girls fall ill after tear-gas shells fall in hostel during mock drill

Meerut, September 11

Twenty nursing students were taken ill after two tear-gas shells fell in their hostel in Lala Lajpat Rai Medical College during a mock drill on riot control by police here, an official said today.

The girls today complained of irritation in their eyes and uneasiness after smoke caused by the tear-gas shell penetrated the hostel, acting principal of the medical college, Pradeep Bharti said.

The girls were admitted to the medical college hospital and their condition is stated to be out of danger, Bharti said.

He also said local police had not informed them about the mock drill and added that the Principal Secretary (Health) has been informed about the incident.

Meanwhile, terming it as an accident, Senior Superintendent of Police D K Dubey said, during the drill, police personnel were lobbing tear gas shells but two of them fell in the hostel after the wind's direction changed. — PTI