Agartala, June 27 : The death of more than 28 people belonging to the Reang community, including 14 children, in remote Kangrai village of North Tripura district following an outbreak of fever accompanied by respiratory problem has shaken the state government out of its stupor.
The Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) and the Congress are blaming the state health department for its apathy.
Fearing more casualties, health minister Tapan Chakraborty today rushed to Kanchanpur subdivisional town, 12km from the village, with the director of health services, Satya Debbarma, and a team of specialist doctors.
Congress MLA Subal Bhowmik, who had visited Kangrai with a group of party workers on Thursday, has demanded Chakraborty’s resignation.
“I had to visit the village enveloped by a funerary silence after trekking 12km across the hills, but what I saw was beyond belief. After having reached the unconnected village around 11am, I found silent preparations being made by the parents for the burial of their children,” Bhowmik said on his return to Agartala this morning.
He noted down the names of the 28 people who had died. The list has names of 14 children including those of Ramjay Reang, 8, Kisore Reang, 9, Bijli Reang, 6, Namita Reang, 11 , Laxman Reang, 6, Ganga Reang, 3, Kartik Reang, 5, Rupamati Reang, 7, Kashi Reang, 6, Durgabati Reang, 3, Khumbar Reang, 10, Khumpui Reang, 8, Kamala Reang, 2, and Surja Reang, 12.
On returning to the subdvisional town of Kanchanpur, Bhowmik yesterday spoke to SDO Dilip Kumar Chakma and subdivisional medical officer Subrata Roy but they allegedly feigned ignorance. When confronted with the figures, the names and other details, Chakma disappeared from his chamber.
Roy said he had informed the health directorate in Agartala about the spread of the disease and the need for emergency supply of medicine.
Chakraborty rushed to Kanchanpur with a team of five senior doctors and emergency medicine supply.
“According to our records 14 people had died but we are going to organise special health camps in the Kangrai area. The place is remote,” Chakraborty said, adding that he would visit Kangrai village tomorrow with doctors and nurses.