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Friday, May 8, 2009

Contaminated water kills 5 tribals

Balasore: At least five tribals from three families in Nedam-Patharkhani village under Kaptipada block of Mayurbhanj district died after consuming contaminated water yesterday night. The victims include a child and a woman.

Official sources said, eight others are now undergoing treatment at a temporary camp in the village. The deceased have been identified as Sudam Bhakta (40), his daughter-in-law Sukanti Bhakta (20), Suhagi Dei (60), her grandson Laya Naik (5) and Ledri Naik (20).

Confirming deaths, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) of Mayurbhanj KC Mohanty said, they died of gastroenteritis. ‘‘They had taken polluted water from a nullah in their village which caused toxic infection leading to the deaths,’’ he informed.

‘‘While four of them died in the village, the child succumbed in the hospital. They first suffered from throat infection and then diarrhoea,’’ he maintained adding that the condition of the other patients is improving. The CDMO who visited the village today informed that the village, having a population of around 1,000 mostly from Lodha and Santhal communities, lacks proper drinking water facilities. ‘‘A dug well and two of the three tube-wells in the village have already dried up and the lone tube-well fails to meet the demands of the villagers. The people are dependent on nullah water for all purposes, a sample of which has been sent for medical test,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, a team of doctors and health officials led by Kaptipada hospital in-charge Basanta Nayak is camping in the village to check the affected.

The villagers have alleged that due to the callousness of the district administration the five persons died. ‘‘We have been demanding safe drinking water in the village since long but nobody cared for our grievances,’’ alleged a ward member, Bikram Hansda. He has demanded action against the erring officials who despite repeated requests didn’t provide permanent drinking water facilities in the village.

The villagers have also demanded adequate compensation for the kin of the victims.

Source: Express Buzz

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

this is indeed a real tragedy !

The Tribal Life