Amravati: Doma Govt Residential Ashramshala in Chikhaldara taluka, deep in Melghat, wore a deserted look on Friday. All 608 students — 263 boys and 345 girls — have been taken home by parents after a wave of panic triggered by what doctors suspect is ‘mass hysteria’.The crisis began a few days ago when one girl student simultaneously started crying uncontrollably, laughing loudly, screaming, and then slipping into silence without responding to anyone. Within 48 hours, similar symptoms appeared in other girls. Word about the incident spread fast.Local rumors of “bhoot-badha” or ghostly possession added fuel. Frightened parents, already on edge after a recent food-poisoning incident in nearby Dharni, rushed to the school and withdrew their children. By Thursday evening, the hostel that once buzzed with children was completely empty.Dr Ankit Rathod of Katakumbh primary health centre said the symptoms strongly indicate mass hysteria linked to acute stress and anxiety. A special counseling team was rushed in from Amravati, but officials admit they have not yet identified the root cause of the problem.What has angered parents the most is the silence of the school authorities. The headmaster and hostel superintendent, responsible for 608 children, made no public statement even as students left. “When children are falling sick and running away, how can those in charge stay quiet?” asked one parent.Tribal parents now say their trust in the system is broken. They are demanding a high-level inquiry and strict action against the headmaster and superintendent for alleged negligence.Education and health officials say they are monitoring the situation and will reopen the hostel only after counseling and safety audits are completed. Until then, classrooms in Doma remain empty — a grim reminder of how fear, and not just illness, can shut down a school.Meanwhile, tribal development chief commissioner Leena Bansod was said to visit the district today, but the district information office had no information about her visit.
