{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Three Tribal Students Die of Snakebite in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli, NHRC Orders States to Stock Anti-Venom Supplies",
  "summary": "After snakebite deaths in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli and Uttar Pradesh's Chitrakoot, the NHRC has directed states to stock adequate anti-snake venom in vulnerable areas and review safety standards at tribal hostels.",
  "content": "The National Human Rights Commission, or NHRC, has ordered states and union territories across India to fix chronic gaps in snakebite treatment after taking suo motu notice of two separate deaths linked to snake bites. The commission has directed authorities to guarantee adequate stocks of anti-snake venom, or ASV, in remote and snakebite-prone areas so that victims get life-saving treatment without delay and do not lose their lives waiting for medicine that should have been on hand.\n\nWhat states have been told to do\nA bench of the NHRC headed by Member Priyank Kanoongo has asked every state and union territory to first identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to snakebite incidents. The bench has also directed them to compile data on such cases and strengthen health and emergency medical facilities in those pockets, so that no victim is left waiting to reach a hospital or a functioning health centre.\n\nSafety of tribal hostels also under scrutiny\nThe commission has raised serious concerns about ashram shalas and other tribal and residential hostels located in forests and remote regions. It has directed a review of the infrastructure and safety standards at these hostels, covering the availability of adequate beds or cots, the presence of enough wardens and staff, safe sleeping arrangements for students, campus security, and immediate medical assistance in any emergency.\n\nThree students died in Gadchiroli\nOf the two cases before the NHRC, the first is from Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra, where three tribal girl students died after being bitten by a snake at the hostel of a tribal residential school. The incident raised serious questions about the hostel's basic facilities and its safety arrangements, prompting the commission to take up the case on its own.\n\nAnti-venom did not reach the victim in time in Chitrakoot\nThe second case is from Chitrakoot district in Uttar Pradesh, where it is alleged that a snakebite victim could not be given anti-snake venom in time during treatment, after which he died. In both cases, the NHRC has asked the concerned officials to file an Action Taken Report within a stipulated time frame, so it becomes clear what improvements have actually been made on the ground and whether the lapses that led to these deaths have been fixed.\n\nWhat this means for you\nIf the NHRC's directions are followed properly, people living in remote and forested areas will no longer have to run from hospital to hospital looking for anti-venom after a snakebite.\n\n• Across India: Every state and union territory must now identify snakebite-vulnerable areas and keep adequate anti-snake venom stocks there. This puts the responsibility on local administrations to ensure hospitals and health centres in rural and forested regions have venom available on time.\n• In Gadchiroli, Maharashtra: After three students died at a tribal residential school's hostel, safety at hostels there will now be reviewed. Parents can expect faster improvements in basics like beds, wardens, staff and safe sleeping arrangements.\n• In Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh: Following the death linked to a lack of timely anti-venom, officials must now file an Action Taken Report within a set deadline. This creates accountability for venom availability at local hospitals.\n• For students at tribal hostels: Safety standards at forest-based hostels will be reviewed. Families can expect better provisions for safe sleeping arrangements and emergency medical help.\n• For health workers: Doctors and staff posted in vulnerable areas will have to follow directions to keep venom stocks and emergency facilities updated.\n\nWhy this happened\nThe NHRC issued these directions after two deaths in which both venom availability and hostel safety arrangements appeared to fall short. The commission has spelled out why building basic facilities in these areas matters.\n\n• Shortage of anti-venom: In Chitrakoot, it is alleged the victim could not get anti-snake venom in time, which led to his death. This points to venom stocks at remote hospitals often not being adequate.\n• Weak safety arrangements at hostels: After three students died in Gadchiroli, questions were raised about the hostel's basic facilities and security. That is why the commission has ordered a review of beds, wardens, staff and safe sleeping arrangements.\n• Investigation still pending: The exact lapses in both cases are yet to be established, which is why the NHRC has sought an Action Taken Report from officials within a set deadline.\n• What comes next: States must now identify vulnerable areas, gather data and strengthen health facilities, and report back to the commission on the progress made.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Which two cases has the NHRC taken cognizance of?\nThe death of three tribal students from a snakebite at a hostel in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, and a death in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly due to anti-snake venom not being available in time.\n\n2. What is the main direction given to states?\nTo identify areas vulnerable to snakebite incidents and ensure adequate anti-snake venom and emergency medical facilities there.\n\n3. What happened in Gadchiroli?\nThree tribal girl students died after being bitten by a snake at the hostel of a tribal residential school.\n\n4. What is alleged in the Chitrakoot case?\nThat the victim could not be given anti-snake venom in time during treatment, after which he died.\n\n5. Who headed the NHRC bench that issued the directions?\nMember Priyank Kanoongo.\n\n6. What additional directions were given for hostels?\nTo ensure adequate beds or cots, enough wardens and staff, safe sleeping arrangements, and immediate medical assistance in emergencies.\n\n7. What has the NHRC asked officials to submit next?\nAn Action Taken Report on both cases within a stipulated time frame.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/maharashtra/maharashtra-ke-gadchiroli-men-sanpa-ke-katane-se-tina-adivasi-chhatraon-ki-mauta-nhrc-ne-rajyon-ko-venama-bhndara-barhane-ke-die-n-29385",
  "category": "Maharashtra",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-08",
  "tags": [
    "Snakebite deaths",
    "Anti-snake venom shortage",
    "NHRC order",
    "Gadchiroli tribal hostel",
    "Chitrakoot snakebite case",
    "Tribal hostel safety"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}