Unexplained Cries at Hostel: Doctors Diagnose Mass Hysteria

Incidents of unusual behaviour, including crying and laughing, at a government tribal hostel in Amravati's Melghat led to fears of supernatural possession. Hundreds of parents withdrew their children from the Shaskiya Madhyamik Va Uchha Madhyamik Ashram Shala in Doma village around July 29, fueled by rumours of a haunted campus. A state health team, examining six affected girls, recorded symptoms such as continuous crying, fear, sadness, and memory loss, diagnosing them with Dissociative Symptoms.

Dr. Swati Sonone, psychiatrist and head of the District Mental Health Programme, stated this was a case of mass hysteria, where observed symptoms can spread. Additional Commissioner Sandip Golait confirmed health experts found no supernatural evidence, suggesting it was a mental stress-related condition. The medical report noted "Selective Hysteria" symptoms and identified stress and unexplained fear as possible causes. Cultural beliefs, including stories of supernatural shadows and alleged rituals related to cutting a sacred moh tree, contributed to the spread of these rumours.

The Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANIS) also intervened, finding that some families had consulted traditional tribal healers. ANIS members observed that students were primarily affected by psychological stress, exacerbated by potential overcrowding and poor ventilation in hostel rooms. The school administration is addressing accommodation issues, with a new hostel under construction. While many students left, classes continued for over 200 students, with efforts underway to counsel parents and encourage children's return.