?Madhur munakka? wreaks havoc; 3 kids hospitalised

With teenagers lapping up drugs the city finally appears to have fallen prey to this menace.

An example of this was found today when three boys  who should have been more interested in books or playing a game of their choice were admitted to the SRN Hospital by their worried parents in an unconscious state.

The children had reportedly consumed 'Madhur Munakka', a kind of chewable substance which unlike pan masala gives the user a kick. Unable to bear the intoxication following its intake the teenagers fainted and were rushed to the emergency ward of the SRN Hospital.

Sources said, 'Madhur Munakka' is prepared by soaking Munakka in water which has the residue of opium for some time. It is then dried in shade, mixed with some more ingredients and is packaged in small pouches.

The pouches are then delivered to various  beetle shops dotting the roads in the city where it is easily available, said sources. It is difficult to detect whether a teenager has consumed Madhur Munakka in case he is a habitual user. Such boys buy the stuff two or three times daily. If sources are correct a handful of girls too have got addicted to this habit.

Today's incident came as a jolt for the family of Chhabi Nath Goswami whose eldest daughter was to be married the same evening. The marriage was to be performed from a place near Bharadwaj Ashram. While preparations were in full swing two of his sons Rishi (12) and Muni (8) fell unconscious. The third boy Shubham (8), son of a neighbour was also in the same boat. Leaving aside everything, the family rushed the boys to the hospital in critical condition. On being asked the family members said that the trio had gone to a nearby shop and had returned after consuming something.

The condition of both the brothers was stated to be still critical while the third boy Shubham had regained consciousness.