600 students leave hostel in India over 'ghost scare', doctors have different explanations

Around 600 students have left the hostel after rumors spread about a 'ghost infestation' at a government tribal residential school in Maharashtra's Amravati district. Although the incident has created panic among students and parents, according to expert doctors, there is no supernatural reason behind it. They believe that such behavior could be due to mental stress.

The incident took place at a residential school in Doma village of Chikaldara taluk in Melghat region of Maharashtra. The institution is managed by the Tribal Development Department of India.

Unusual behavior of some students

According to local sources, the Indian media NDTV reported that four students suddenly started behaving abnormally since July 22. They were sometimes laughing uncontrollably, sometimes crying. Later, the matter spread quickly when some students claimed to hear sounds like Nupur at night.

At one stage, rumors spread that there was a 'ghost infestation' in the hostel. This further increased the panic among the students. Due to the situation, about 600 students left the residential hostel and went to their respective homes.

810 students lived in the hostel

A total of 810 students lived in this residential school, about 700 kilometers from Mumbai. A large part of them studied in the hostel.

The sudden departure of a large number of students also affected the normal functioning of the school. Initiatives have been taken to bring the students back to class after overcoming their panic.

What is the doctors' explanation?

A senior official of the Tribal Development Department said that a team of expert doctors visited the school to monitor the situation.

The doctors' initial impression is that there is no supernatural element involved in the incident. Rather, such behavior may occur among the students due to excessive mental stress and mutual panic. The report mentions that such a situation can be explained as 'selective hysteria' in medical science.

Local beliefs behind spreading rumors

Various beliefs have also spread around the incident locally. A section of the students believed that the incident was related to the cutting of a mahua tree in the school premises and the damage to a local goddess temple due to the construction of drainage.

In addition, some were also linking the death of a tribal youth in the nearby area to it. The report said that various rumors about the ‘soul being dissatisfied’ were spread due to these ideas.

Counseling students

To normalize the situation, the anti-superstition organization ‘Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti’ is counseling the students. The organization has appealed to look at the incident from a scientific perspective instead of fear or superstition.

Amravati MP Balwant Wankhede urged the students not to panic and return to class.

The school’s headmaster Sanjay Chowdhury said that efforts are being made to bring the students back to the hostel. He also said that some students have already returned.

Students waiting to return after overcoming panic

Despite the incident being discussed on social media and at the local level, authorities are conducting counseling and awareness programs to allay fears among students. Based on the explanations of experts, students and parents have been advised not to panic.

Source: NDTV