Bhubaneswar: The controversy over death of two tribal women from Kandhamal district allegedly after consuming mango kernels continues to dominate news despite chief minister Mohan Majhi ordering an inquiry by the revenue divisional commissioner (RDC) into the tragedy.
The incident, which occurred at Mandipanka village in Daringbadi block on recently, also left six other women ill, with two in critical condition. The deceased have been identified as Runi Majhi (25) and Ramita Majhi (32).
The tragedy gave the Opposition parties, including BJD and Congress a handle to criticize the new BJP government of the state. The opposition has claimed that deaths occurred after villagers were forced to consume mango kernels due to delayed distribution of rice under the Food Security Act. They have claimed that villagers in remote areas are not getting nutritious food. However, health officials have attributed the deaths to food poisoning.
Two critically ill patients — Tuni Majhi (44) and Geeta Majhi (35) — are currently being treated at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, with doctors reporting multi-organ failure. Four others are being treated at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur. Samples of mango kernels and water from the area have been sent for laboratory testing..
Kandhamal collector Amrit Ruturaj visited the affected village and assured to set up sub-centre for rice distribution under the public distribution system. He also promised improvements in local infrastructure. Opposition members, who recently met with the victims’ families, have demanded a high-level and impartial inquiry into the incident.
The state government has also expressed serious concern over the reluctance of some communities to shun the traditional food practice despite provisioning of adequate food grains to them. Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Saturday said the deaths were due to food poisoning caused by stale gruel. “It is disheartening that mango kernels continue to be a traditional staple in some tribal communities. Despite warnings and awareness campaigns they still consume the hazardous seed even if there is sufficient food in their house,” he said.
The minister said as per preliminary reports received from the district administration the women along with others in Mandipanka village had consumed pakhal (fermented water rice) and mango kernel gruel which was kept for the last two-three days. They fell ill due to food poisoning and two of them died under treatment, he said.
Patra also said all 69 families in the village, including the affected households, are getting rice under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). “They have already received rice from July to September. Since the families had sufficient rice, they did not lift the October-December quota. All the retailers have been asked to provide rice to the beneficiaries immediately,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida expressed grief but blamed the dietary habits of tribals for the tragic deaths. Parida, who is also the Women and Child Development minister, said ASHA and Anganwadi workers have been directed to carry out regular awareness drives to discourage the use of mango kernels as a food option.
On the other hand, Congress leader and former Union Minister Srikant Jena, who visited the village recently, lashed out at the government stating that the tribals are being forced to eat mango kernel as they are not provided ration (rice) in time.
