The Tribal Residential School at Doma village in Chikhaldara taluka in the tribal-dominated Melghat region of northern Maharashtra, 700 km from Mumbai, houses around 810 boys and girls. Nearly 600 tribal students left the hostel after several girls displayed strange behaviour that some attributed to possession.
The incidents sparked fears among the students and led to their mass departure from the premises. Authorities have linked the girls’ unusual actions to mental stress. According to a psychological report prepared by the authorities, the unusual behaviour of some girls sparked several theories. The report also noted that some women in the village later developed similar psychological symptoms, but are still conducting further investigations to understand the cause.
This event has raised concerns regarding mental health issues in tribal communities and the support systems available for students in hostels. Officials are reportedly taking steps to address these challenges to ensure the safety and well-being of the students involved.
