Siliguri, 24th June: Tension gripped the Champasari area of Siliguri after a worm was allegedly found in a plate of biryani purchased from a local outlet near Sri Guru Vidyamandir School. The incident triggered protests by local residents, following which police intervened, shut down the shop and detained one person for questioning.
According to reports, three youths from Pokhai Jote had purchased three plates of biryani for Rs 330 on Tuesday evening and were eating at the shop when they allegedly spotted a worm in the food. The youths reportedly recorded a video of the incident.
When they later returned to the shop with family members and local residents to lodge a complaint, the shop authorities allegedly threatened them, further escalating tensions. Angry residents gathered outside the outlet and demanded its closure.
Locals also alleged that police did not initially respond despite being informed about the incident. In protest, residents briefly blocked the road before police from Pradhan Nagar Police Station arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.
Residents raised concerns over food quality and hygiene standards at several biryani outlets in the city and questioned the role of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation and the Food Safety Department in ensuring regular inspections.
Considering the seriousness of the allegations, police closed the shop and detained one person. Food samples are expected to be sent to the Food Safety Department for examination.
Notably, a similar complaint had surfaced in Champasari around a year ago, when a biryani outlet was accused of serving contaminated food and was subsequently shut down. The latest incident has once again raised concerns over food safety and hygiene standards in Siliguri.