A disturbing wave of self-harm has rocked a government school in Chhattisgarh, where 35 children deliberately cut their hands, igniting outrage and alarm in Dahadaha village, Dhamtari district. The Kurud block school now stands at the center of a frantic investigation, as authorities scramble to decode the motives behind this collective act of desperation.
The discovery began innocently enough: a parent spotted suspicious scars on their child’s hand from a sharp blade. School visits exposed the scale—numerous peers with matching injuries. In a matter of days, 35 cases surfaced, prompting an all-hands-on-deck response from health and education officials.
Frightened parents gathered amid urgent briefings, demanding explanations their children couldn’t provide. Counseling drives kicked off on February 16, with psychologists probing for underlying causes. Teachers received orders to monitor every student’s activity closely, signaling a systemic wake-up call.
This tragedy spotlights the fragility of child mental health in underfunded public schools. Was it a dangerous game gone wrong, unspoken abuse, or a cry for attention? Questions swirl as experts analyze group dynamics. The incident demands immediate reforms in surveillance, emotional support, and parent-teacher engagement.
Communities across India will watch closely as findings emerge. Preventing self-harm requires more than bandages—it calls for nurturing environments where children feel safe to speak. Until then, Dahadaha remains a stark reminder of vulnerabilities lurking in plain sight.