5 kids scalded, anganwadi assistant injured after boiling hot rice falls on them in Raichur

RAICHUR: Five children and a woman were scalded after hot rice gruel fell on them at the anganwadi kendra in Mangalwarpet here on Tuesday.

The incident occurred when the anganwadi assistant was straining the rice when the vessel slipped from her hand and the hot rice fell on the children.

The injured children are Arhan, Hiba, Mohammed, Sheik Adnan and Sheik Mariam. The anganwadi assistant Lakshmi too suffered injuries. They have been admitted to a private hospital.

The anganwadi is being run in a rented accommodation. Food was being cooked close to where the children were, and the negligence of the anganwadi staff has been blamed for the accident.

Anganwadi assistant Lakshmi also sustained burn injuries.

“The rice was cooked and I was taking the vessel away to strain the water when it slipped from my hand”, said Lakshmi, the anganwadi assistant.

“There are 2,000 families in Ward 12, where the anganwadi is situation, but no one cares for us. Even after this incident, none of the officials have visited the hospital. The children are from poor families and 25 children go to the anganwadi. The district deputy commissioner should order strict action against those responsible”, said Sheik Masoom, a resident of the locality.