New Delhi, 24 August (H.S.): Tribal Congress president Vikrant Bhuria has accused the governments of negligence in connection with the deaths of 22 tribal children due to malnutrition and illnesses in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat and the deaths of three tribal girls after snakebites at a hostel in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli. He demanded the constitution of special committees to investigate both incidents, action against those responsible, and comprehensive safety audits of all tribal hostels.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters here on Monday, Bhuria said the 22 children who died in Balaghat belonged to the Baiga tribal community. He claimed that the supply of nutritional supplements to households in the affected area had been discontinued for the past six months and that the nearest primary health centre was approximately 20 kilometres away.

He said officials had indicated that vaccination coverage in the area was below 80 per cent. He also alleged that forest rights titles granted under the Forest Rights Act had been rejected. Following the deaths of the children, each family was provided assistance of only Rs 20,000, he claimed, arguing that the responsibility lay with the administrative system.

Referring to a question raised in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Bhuria said the government had stated that malnourished children were being provided nutritional support worth only Rs 12 per day. He alleged that no separate budgetary provision had been made for the scheme in tribal areas. He further claimed that only Rs 980 was being spent on treatment and nutrition for severely malnourished children at rehabilitation centres.

Bhuria also said that three tribal girls sleeping at a hostel in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli died after being bitten by a snake. He alleged that the hostel lacked adequate bedding facilities, with more than 70 girls sleeping on the floor in a single room. Six girls were hospitalised following the incident, of whom three died, he said.

He claimed that several incidents involving the deaths of children had been reported at hostels in Maharashtra over the past two years. He also referred to the ongoing student agitation in Nashik seeking improvements in the condition of tribal hostels.

Bhuria demanded a special investigation into both incidents and immediate stringent action against those found responsible. He also called for safety audits of all tribal hostels to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar