In a ghastly incident that sent shockwaves in Bhupalpally, as many as 11 students of Government Urban Residential School in the town were hospitalised on Friday after suspected water poisoning allegedly by a teacher of the school in an apparent attempt to settle scores with a colleague.

The students complained of stomach-ache after consuming water from the drinking water tank at the residential school late on Friday evening. They were rushed to the government general hospital in the town. The condition of all of them was said to be stable.

Bhupalpally MLA G. Satyanarayana Rao, District Collector Rahul Sharma and Superintendent of Police Kiran Kare on Saturday visited the residential school and also the hospital where the ailing students are undergoing treatment.

They spoke with the students and inquired about the incident.

Some of the students reportedly told the officials about the ‘sorry state of affairs’ at the school and the ‘simmering feud’ between the science teacher Rajender and two other teachers.

They also complained of corporal punishment being allegedly meted out by Mr. Rajender. They further pointed the finger of blame at Mr. Rajender for the ‘water poisoning’ incident.

They accused him of mixing pesticide in the water tank and trying to cover it up by spraying the poisonous substance on their blankets.

Taking a serious view of the incident, the Collector issued orders suspending three teachers, including Mr. Rajender, Venu and Suryaprakash, besides the cook Rajeshwari.

Based on a complaint from the Mandal Education Officer, a case has been registered in connection with the suspected water poisoning incident at the Government Urban Residential School, said Bhupalpally town circle inspector of police D. Naresh Kumar. A thorough investigation is under way, he added.