Amravati, India: A tribal residential school in the remote Melghat region of India's Maharashtra state has been almost deserted after rumours of ghosts sparked fear among students.

A total of 606 students — 263 boys and 343 girls — have returned to their homes following reports of unusual behaviour among several female students at the ashram school in Doma village.

Students said some girls at the hostel had suddenly started laughing or crying without an apparent reason, staring continuously in one direction, screaming, becoming stiff and refusing to respond to questions. The incidents triggered rumours that the hostel was haunted.

Interestingly, the boys' hostel is located close to the girls' hostel, but no similar incidents have been reported among the boys.

Tree Cutting Fuels Ghost Rumours

The Doma Ashram School is around 100 km from Amravati city and provides residential education to students from several surrounding villages.

The school has around 800 students in total. However, more than 300 girls are accommodated in only three rooms, leading to concerns about overcrowding and inadequate facilities.

A large new hostel building for boys has also been completed but remains unused because of a dispute over its boundary wall. Students therefore continue to live in the older, smaller building.

Local residents say rumours intensified after a large mahua tree near the school was cut down during construction of the new building.

Some students began believing that a family of ghosts had lived in the tree and moved into the hostel after it was cut down.

Parents Concerned About Students

One affected student's father, Shankar Dhikar, said the school environment was currently unsuitable for his daughter.

He said, however, that he planned to send her back once she had fully recovered and that she herself wanted to return to school.

The girl reportedly has little clear memory of what happened but had heard the rumours circulating among students.

Psychologists Point to Fear and Stress

Psychologists say there is no evidence that supernatural forces were responsible for the incidents.

Psychologist Swati Sonone, who examined some of the affected students, said they showed physical and emotional symptoms associated with psychological stress and fear.

The girls reportedly experienced unexplained crying and laughter, fear, forgetfulness and severe anxiety. Medical examinations found them to be physically healthy.

Experts believe that prolonged fear, rumours, superstition and psychological pressure can sometimes trigger such physical and emotional reactions.

Horror Film Also Investigated

Another interesting detail that emerged during the investigation was that many of the affected girls had reportedly watched the horror film “Kanchana.”

Some believe that the film, combined with repeated discussions about ghosts, may have contributed to the students' fears and behaviour.

The incidents began on July 29, when four girls reportedly started behaving unusually after coming out of a bathroom. Similar behaviour was subsequently observed among other students.

Most of the affected girls have reportedly returned to normal after going home, with some helping their families with household and farming activities.

Efforts Underway to Bring Students Back

Social workers campaigning against superstition have visited the area and are speaking with students and their parents to encourage them to return to school.

The tribal development department is also working to bring the students back. Additional Commissioner Sandeep Golait said authorities were taking steps to create a safe and confident environment for the students.

The hostel remains largely empty for now, although many students want to resume their education.

Experts say fear, rumours, psychological stress and collective anxiety are more likely explanations for the incidents than any supernatural activity.