Ghost rumour empties Amravati hostel, 608 students flee

More than 600 students left a government-run ashram school in Doma village, Amravati district, after rumours of a ghost triggered panic. The incident began when 16 girl students started laughing uncontrollably, then crying and appearing numb, the Times Now reported. Some students reported hearing anklet sounds in empty corridors, fuelling ghost rumours across the tribal Melghat region.

Medical teams that visited the school ruled out supernatural causes. NDTV Profit reports health experts attribute the episode to severe stress and mass psychogenic illness, or mass hysteria. The 16 girls have been counselled by a psychologist, Amravati Superintendent of Police Niketan Kadam said. All are now fine and expected to return soon.

Authorities are examining whether students had watched a supernatural film together before the incident. A woman police constable will stay at the school, and the SP said he would also stay there to reassure students and parents. Officials are focusing on counselling and stopping rumour spread.