Cuttack, Nov 18: The death toll in the mango kernel incident in Kandhamal has risen to three, as another woman undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack passed away on Monday.
Sources reported that Jita Majhi, who had been receiving hemodialysis and ventilator support at the hospital’s Medicine ICU, succumbed to her condition in the afternoon.
The tragedy began on October 30 in Mandipanka village, located in the Daringbadi block of Kandhamal, when two women—Ramita Patmajhi and Runu Majhi—died and six others fell seriously ill after consuming a gruel made from mango kernels. Two of the sick individuals were later transferred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack as their condition worsened.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with opposition parties alleging that the deaths were caused by villagers being forced to eat the mango kernel gruel due to delays in receiving rice under the Food Security Act.
In response to the uproar, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter by the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC). Roopa Roshan Sahoo, RDC (South), along with Collector Amrit Ruturaj, visited Mandipanka village to investigate, speaking with the families of the deceased and those still receiving treatment.
