Army Officer Attacked Amidst Alarming Food Poisoning Incident at Kerala NCC Camp: What Really Happened?

The image captured a tense moment where a Lt Colonel was forcefully pinned against a wall, a man gripping his throat tightly, suggesting a dramatic confrontation filled with intensity and urgency.

In a troubling incident at a training camp in Kerala, more than 80 cadets from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) were hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning. The event took a drastic turn when a video emerged showcasing an altercation involving a local Councillor and a representative from a leftist political party attacking a senior Army officer within the camp grounds.

On December 23, cadets from the 21 Kerala Battalion NCC began to exhibit alarming symptoms of illness post-dinner while stationed at KMM College in Thrikkakara. Following reports of the cadets’ condition, the aforementioned individuals, accompanied by others, forcefully entered the camp and targeted Lt Colonel Karnail Singh, a respected officer of the NCC battalion, in a physical assault.

The footage captured during the incident revealed a distressing scene: the Lt Colonel was violently pushed against a wall, where one assailant could be seen grabbing him by the throat while another pinned him down. The officer, displaying commendable resilience, attempted to fend off his attackers. The situation escalated further when an individual donned in a blue shirt produced what appeared to be a knife, threatening the officer in a brazen act of intimidation.

Fortunately, a police officer, who was on-site during this chaotic situation, intervened by pushing one of the aggressors away in an effort to restore order. Reports indicate that Lt Colonel Singh sustained injuries to his neck and back during the altercation.

Prior to the assault, the cadets had expressed feelings of nausea and discomfort after their evening meal and were subsequently transported to local medical facilities for immediate attention. "Initially, these cadets were admitted to the Primary Health Centre and subsequently transferred to the Medical College. As the situation progressed, an additional 47 cadets exhibiting similar symptoms received treatment at the Medical College before being discharged back to their camp,” stated an official from the NCC. Overall, the camp hosted a total of 513 cadets, comprising 283 boys and 235 girls.

In the aftermath of this distressing event, the Additional Director General of NCC took action by appointing a Brigadier-led panel tasked with investigating the case of suspected food poisoning. The troubling occurrence has sparked significant public outrage, prompting legal action against the individuals involved. Charges including trespass, criminal intimidation, and the voluntary infliction of harm have been brought against the assailants in accordance with applicable legal statutes. A senior police official has been assigned to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

This alarming situation not only raises serious concerns regarding the welfare of the cadets but also highlights the need for comprehensive scrutiny of the events leading up to the incident and the responses following the attack on military personnel. The safety and well-being of individuals participating in such training camps should remain paramount, warranting immediate attention and resolution from relevant authorities.