During the Independence Day parade at Kolkata’s Red Road, 39 schoolchildren fell sick and were shifted to the SSKM Hospital. Later, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the hospital and spoke to the children.

After meeting the children she said, “They are doing well now. I personally met and talked with them.”

Police sources said after heavy rain, a sudden increase in the heat and temperature led to dehydration for both the participants and the police personnel. The students — who hailed from Malda, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and other districts — had participated in the parade.

Banerjee added, “I think they did not eat their tiffin. Nowadays, children maintain a diet, so they may have avoided eating the tiffin. Empty stomach may cause sickness (sometimes). In the case of children, it often happens that when one falls sick, those standing nearby feel they are not well. However, they are now all doing well.”

Banerjee added that she has instructed doctors to take special care of the children. She also said that except for one child, the rest would be discharged from SSKM Hospital after primary care. According to a source in the hospital, the child who will remain admitted is very weak. On duty doctors said she may be released in a few days.

A senior police officer said, “Police personnel were given glucose but when the children fell ill, we did not take risk and rushed them to the hospital. They fell sick after the performance.”

Director of SSKM Hospital Manimoy Banerjee later said, “The sudden sickness happened due of dehydration. We gave necessary treatment. The Chief Minister gave them sweets and water. We observed them for an hour and then released them from the hospital one by one.”

Kolkata police said they have made arrangements for all the children to reach home safely.