Mehendi scare mars Eid festivities in Andhra Pradesh

The usually innocuous mehendi cones marred Eid celebrations across the state on Monday when it caused blisters, itching and pain to some users and triggered major panic as rumours of deaths and severe illnesses did the rounds.

 The mehendi cones, which are used by women and children to decorate their hands, are suspected to have been expired products which contained more chemicals than permitted.

 Though the number of people who were affected by this were few, rumours of the mehendi being poisoned spread thick and fast, prompting mosques to make announcements along with morning prayers against the use of mehendi.

 Since late Sunday night, many women and children rushed to hospitals complaining of blisters and pain on their hands.

 Around 20 people from One Town and Bhavanipuram areas in Vijayawada rushed to Global Hospital between 2 a.

m.

 and 3:30 a.

m.

 They were given first aid and were prescribed ointments.

 In the early hours of Monday, Krishna district collector Jyothi Buddha Prakash and Vijayawada police commissioner N Madhusudhan Reddy visited the hospital to check the situation.

 When contacted, Madhusudhan Reddy said that no arrests have been made but they were inquiring into the source of the rumours.

 It was reported that two persons running a small store in the city were questioned.

 In Anantapur district, a young girl Sadia and her friends were the first people to approach the hospital in Muduguba complaining of blisters.

 Adding to the general confusion, the rumours caused several women without any symptoms, to rush to hospitals to check for infection.

 In Hindupur, the situation became tense and some people even came out into the streets as rumours started spreading of deaths due to the mehendi.

 In Anantapur district headquarters, health officials visited several places to assure people and to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.

 Widespread panic was reported in Piler, Kalakada, Kalikiri and Madanapalle areas of neighbouring Chittoor district, where several women had turned up at hospitals, though they did not suffer from any blisters or rashes.

 In Kurnool district, TDP leader BAK Pervez along with other elders of the community met people suffering from the allergic reactions and helped them get treatment.

 Minor irrigation minister TG Venkatesh also met people and told them not to believe the rumours.