Pepper-sprayed by fellow students, 11 schoolgirls hospitalised in Goa

Panaji: Around 11 girls studying in a higher secondary at Bicholim in North Goa were hospitalised on Thursday after two fellow students, both boys, used pepper spray on them.

While the exact reason behind the boys using pepper spray is not clear yet, sources said they did it for fun.

A senior police officer in Bicholim told IANS that the police have taken cognisance of the incident and has asked the school management to submit CCTV footage from the institute after their internal committee prepares a report.

“The students who used pepper spray are both minors. Hence, the internal committee of the school is conducting an inquiry into the incident. They will prepare a report and take action against the boys who sprayed pepper spray on the girls," the police said.

According to the police, the two boys who used pepper spray had purchased it from an online shopping platform.

“Around 11 girl students felt burning sensation and uneasiness and were rushed to the hospital. Some of them were discharged after treatment,” the officer said.

He added that a similar incident had taken place in the same school in the past and action was taken against two boys.

“The culprits in both the incidents are different. We are taking measures so that such cases are not repeated,” the officer said.