3 dead, 530 affected by food poisoning

Three persons have died and around 530 people affected by food poisoning in Assam's Barpeta district after consuming 'prasad' at a religious event.
The affected have been admitted to Barpeta Medical College Hospital and last night two women and a 10-year old girl died due to the food poisoning, hospital sources said today.
The condition of two others was critical and they are being treated at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The dead include a newly wed 24-year-old woman Purabi Das, 45-year old Bhanu Das and 10-year old Anamika Das.
The affected people had consumed 'prasad' of chickpeas during 'Manasa' Puja on Monday, following which they complained of food poisoning symptoms.

Barpeta Deputy Commissioner Varnali Deka today banned the sale and purchase of any pulses in the entire district till further notice and also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

The inquiry committee comprises the Barpeta Circle Officer, Joint Director of health services and the Food Inspector.
The samples of chickpeas the affected people had consumed have been collected and sent for tests at the forensic laboratory.
Meanwhile, Barpeta district unit of All Assam Students' Union (AASU) Krishna Kanta Das today alleged that the death of three female patients was due to the negligence of the physicians and they were yet to ascertain what caused the food poisoning.