Alleging that a lizard was found in the noon meal served to students, parents of children who ate the food at the government primary school in Thirumalaigoundenpalayam, Tirupur, staged a protest seeking the arrest of the Dalit cook P. Pappaal, 42, here, on Thursday.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police (Avinashi sub-division) P. Paramasamy rushed to the station to pacify them and said that an inquiry was on about the incident. He also told the agitated parents that only on receiving the laboratory report would action be initiated against those responsible. The crowd dispersed following the DSP’s assurance.
The incident reportedly happened on Thursday, and a number of students reportedly fell ill after vomiting and complaining of stomach ache. As a result, only seven students took the noon meal. Those who had been ‘ill’ on Wednesday again complained of stomach pain, and doctors from the Government Hospital went to the school to check what was wrong. The doctors later said the pain was because of non-intake of food.
“This is a conspiracy to remove me from this school. It is painful to note that people are dragging the children into this,” said Ms. Pappaal.
