Salem: In a shocking incident, 13 boys staying at a hostel decided to burn camphor on their palms to “prove their innocence” after a hostel mate alleged that cash was missing from his bag.
The boys sustained burn injuries following which the warden and two staff members of a a hostel run by Adi Dravidar Comm-unity Welfare Departm-ent were arrested on charges of dereliction of duty, police said today.
The Class 8 students, staying in one room of the hostel, decided to burn camphor on their palms few days ago after one of them alleged that Rs 110 was missing from his bag.
The warden and two of his assistants were not in the hostel at the time of the incident, police said, adding, they were arrested on Monday on a complaint from the boys’ parents.
It is a belief among a section of the community that if the palm is not burnt after burning camphor on it, the person is innocent.
