Holi Turned Ugly in Karnataka as 7 Girls Admitted to Hospital After Miscreants Throw Chemical-Laced Colours

Gadag, Karnataka: A festive Holi celebration took a horrifying turn in Lakshmeshwar town, Karnataka, when a group of schoolgirls were attacked with chemical-laced colours by a gang of miscreants. The seven girls, who were waiting at a bus stand on Friday morning, were left struggling to breathe and suffered from chest pain after being targeted with toxic substances.

Four Girls in Critical Condition

Out of the seven victims, the condition of four girls turned critical, as they experienced breathlessness and severe chest pain. They were immediately shifted to the Gadag Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) for advanced treatment. The remaining three girls are being treated at a local government hospital in Lakshmeshwar, officials confirmed.

The incident has sparked outrage among the public, with parents rushing to the hospital in distress. Given the seriousness of the attack, the police have launched a manhunt for the accused, who fled the scene on bikes.

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Girls Attacked While Waiting for Bus

According to the police, the schoolgirls were standing at a bus stop near Suvarnagiri Tanda, Lakshmeshwar, waiting to board their school bus to appear for exams scheduled for the day.

A gang of miscreants on motorbikes stopped near the bus stand and started throwing colours at the students. The girls managed to escape momentarily by boarding their school bus, but the attackers chased the vehicle, boarded it, and specifically targeted the seven girls. They poured chemical-laced colours on them before escaping.

Toxic Chemicals Used in Attack

Initial forensic investigations revealed that the chemical-laced colours contained a dangerous mixture of cow dung, eggs, phenol, and synthetic colours. When exposed to the substance, the girls unknowingly ingested small amounts, which led to breathing difficulties and severe reactions.

Chaos at Hospital, Police Assure Strict Action

The scenes at the hospital were heart-wrenching, as the young victims struggled to breathe and clutched their chests in pain.

Senior police officers rushed to the hospital, assuring the families that strict action would be taken. A police team has been deployed to gather evidence and track down the accused.

Authorities are currently questioning locals and other passengers on the bus for any clues about the attackers. More details are expected as the investigation progresses.