A shocking incident has emerged from Karnataka’s Belagavi district, where three individuals, including a Sri Ram Sene (SRS) activist, have been arrested for allegedly mixing poison into the drinking water tank of a government school. According to Savadatti police, the trio’s motive was to cause illness among the students, hoping it would lead to the removal of the school’s headmaster, who belongs to a minority community.
The Alarming Incident and Subsequent Investigation
The incident took place approximately a fortnight ago at a government Kannada primary school in the village of Hulikatti. The school’s water supply was allegedly contaminated, which resulted in 11 students falling ill. All the affected children were subsequently hospitalized, though they are now reported to be in stable condition.
Following the disturbing event, Savadatti police launched a thorough investigation. Their efforts led to the arrest of three individuals: Sagar Patil, Krishna Madar, and Magangouda Patil. The police have identified Sagar Patil, the president of the Savadatti taluk unit of Sri Ram Sene, as the alleged mastermind behind the plot.
A Disturbing Motive Exposed by Police
During the investigation, police officials stated that the accused confessed to a disturbing motive. According to a statement from Belagavi Superintendent of Police, Bhimashankar Guled, the trio mixed poison into the water believing that if children became sick, the headmaster would be transferred from the school. The headmaster in question is from a minority community.
The investigation further revealed that Sagar Patil allegedly brought the poison from a nearby village and involved a relative, who was a student at the same school, to contaminate the water tank. He also reportedly blackmailed one of his accomplices to cooperate with the plan. All three accused have been remanded to judicial custody as the investigation continues.
This incident highlights the grave dangers of politically and religiously motivated acts, underscoring the critical need for constant vigilance and zero-tolerance for actions that endanger public safety and prey on communal tensions. The swift action by the police has been praised for bringing the alleged perpetrators to justice and preventing further harm.
