The deaths of 22 tribal children from the Baiga community due to malnutrition and related illnesses in BJP ruled Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district have triggered a political storm, with the Congress demanding an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Madhya Pradesh Adivasi Congress president Vikrant Bhuria on Monday, 24 August demanded the formation of a special committee to investigate the deaths. He also sought an inquiry into the deaths of tribal students following an alleged snakebite incident at a hostel in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli.
“Here, the nutritional meals delivered to homes have been stopped for the last six months. The nearest primary health centre is 20 km away. Land titles granted under the Forest Rights Act have been cancelled. Officials have also stated that vaccination coverage here is below 80 per cent,” Bhuria said.
Members of the Sarv Adivasi Samaj staged a rally on Sunday evening to protest the deaths, demanding Rs 1 crore compensation for each bereaved family and strict action against officials responsible for alleged lapses in healthcare and disease prevention.
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