Assam obituary gathering turns tragic: 200 fall ill from contaminated food, probe launched

Around 200 people fell ill due to food poisoning after consuming snacks at an obituary function in Assam's Golaghat district, officials reported on Sunday. The incident occurred on Saturday night at Pasghoria village in the Sarupathar area during the memorial ceremony for Pradip Gogoi's mother.

Attendees were served traditional 'jalpan,' a snack made with puffed rice and cream. Shortly after consuming the food, guests began experiencing symptoms such as stomach pain, headaches, vomiting, and diarrhea. Fifty-three people were immediately hospitalized at Sarupathar's Community Health Centre and Uriamghat's Public Health Centre, while two were transferred to Jorhat Medical College for advanced care.

Fortunately, the victims' conditions are reported to be stable, with many already discharged after treatment. About 150 others with milder symptoms remain at home, and their health is being closely monitored.

Local BJP MLA Biswajit Phukan visited the hospital to check on the victims and confirmed that the district administration had arranged for a food inspector to investigate the cause of the food poisoning. A medical camp has also been set up in the village, and health teams are visiting affected individuals to ensure their recovery.