Snakebite at Maharashtra tribal school leaves three dead

What Happened

At a tribal residential school in Dhanora, Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra, a common krait entered the hostel dormitory overnight between August 9 and 10 and bit six girls aged 8 to 14. Three of the bitten students died. One girl was airlifted to a hospital in Nagpur and is now home and recovering. Another student remains serious and is on ventilator support at a hospital in Gadchiroli, while a third is on a path to recovery. The school is run by a former Congress leader, Marotrao Kowase, and is part of a network of private aided tribal residential schools in the state.

Why It Matters

Residents and officials point to concerns about medical and broader infrastructure in Gadchiroli, a remote district with dense forest cover. The incident has prompted a government review: the state has announced the cancellation of the school’s license and the appointment of a third party to audit 513 private aided residential tribal schools in Maharashtra. The event highlights ongoing questions about emergency medical access, ambulance services, roads, and school safety in remote tribal areas.

Background

Gadchiroli is described as the eastern-most district of Maharashtra with significant forest cover and a dispersed tribal population. In the last five years, the district recorded 99 snakebite deaths. The district was previously part of the Red Corridor, and its governance includes the guardian minister role held by the state Chief Minister. The Japtalai village school hosts over 100 girls in a single large hall used as dormitory space, with limited beds and basic facilities described at the site. The school’s location serves Etapalli and other remote settlements, where local children attend even though the community is geographically distant from urban centers.

Key Facts

• Location: Tribal residential school in Dhanora, Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra
• Event timing: Overnight between August 9 and 10
• Affected students: Six girls aged 8–14 bitten by a snake
• Fatalities: Three bitten students died
• Medical response: One student airlifted to Nagpur hospital; another student serious on ventilator in Gadchiroli; a third recovering
• School ownership: Run by Marotrao Kowase, a veteran Congress leader and former MP
• Legal/administrative action: Maharashtra government announced license cancellation for the school; five FIRs registered against individuals associated with the school
• Audits: State to appoint a third party to audit 513 private aided residential tribal schools in Maharashtra
• Context: Gadchiroli has dense forest cover (>75%) and a dispersed tribal population; snakebite has caused multiple deaths in the district over the past five years
• Facilities: Dormitory housing for over 100 girls; limited beds and basic amenities; mosquito nets recently added

What Happens Next

The government pursues enforcement actions, including license cancellation and a formal audit of tribal residential schools. Investigations into the FIRs are expected to determine accountability. The audit could influence policy and funding decisions for tribal residential education facilities and emergency medical preparedness in remote regions.