2 weeks ago
Amravati Tribal Girls to Move After ‘Haunted’ Hostel Episode
A residential school in Maharashtra had a frightening incident involving some girls.
Four girls began crying and laughing in unusual ways on July 22.
Many students then went home because they believed some girls were possessed.
Officials said the behavior might have been caused by stress and fear.
A report also described local stories about spirits, a tree and a nearby temple.
The school has built a separate hostel for girls with bunk beds.
The girls are expected to move there on September 1.
People from an organization against superstition also spoke with and counselled the students.
Nearly 600 tribal students left the Amravati residential school after claiming some girls were “possessed.”
Four girls began crying and laughing uncontrollably on July 22, which officials linked to possible mental stress.
A new separate hostel with bunk beds has been built on the school campus for the girl students.
Additional Tribal Commissioner Sandip Golait said the girls will move into the new hostel from September 1.
A psychological report cited superstition, fear, stress and local beliefs about spirits as factors behind the episode.
- Who
- Tribal students, school officials, Additional Tribal Commissioner Sandip Golait, and counsellors from the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti.
- What
- Nearly 600 students left a government residential school after reports that some girls were “possessed”; the girls will move to a new hostel.
- Where
- A government residential ‘ashram’ school in Doma, Chikhaldara taluka, in Maharashtra’s Amravati district.
- When
- The unusual behavior began on July 22, and the relocation is scheduled to begin September 1.
- Why
- Officials attributed the episode to possible mental stress, superstition, fear and local beliefs about spirits; the existing girls’ hostel was also reportedly overcrowded.
Officials and Anti-Superstition View
Local Beliefs and Student Concerns
Cause of the unusual behavior
Officials and Anti-Superstition View
Officials and a psychological report attributed the episode to mental stress, fear, superstition and local beliefs rather than verified spirit activity.
Local Beliefs and Student Concerns
Students and locals reportedly believed that some girls were possessed and that spirits connected to a mahua tree, a deity’s temple or a deceased Adivasi youth were troubling them.
Response to the incident
Officials and Anti-Superstition View
Authorities arranged a new girls’ hostel and counselling, while the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti met students to address blind faith.
Local Beliefs and Student Concerns
Nearly 600 students went home after accepting or acting on claims that some girls were possessed.
Key facts
- Location
- Doma, Chikhaldara taluka, Amravati district, Maharashtra
- School population
- The residential school houses 810 boys and girls.
- Students who left
- Nearly 600 tribal students went home after the incident.
- Initial incident
- Four girls began crying and laughing uncontrollably on July 22.
- New hostel
- A separate building with bunk beds has been built on the school premises.
- Relocation date
- Girl students are scheduled to move from September 1.
- Official explanation
- Authorities cited mental stress, superstition, fear and local beliefs about spirits.
Sources
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