Mohana, Mar 24: In a shocking incident, at least two minor girls reportedly died, and three others are in critical condition after eating chhatua (roasted flour) provided by an Anganwadi Centre in R. Udayagiri locality of Odisha’s Gajapati district.
The incident has been reported from Ramgiri village under R. Udayagiri police limits in the district.
As per reports, family members of one Shiva Shankar Badamundi had received chhatua from an Anganwadi centre in the village on Friday. Moments after consuming the chhatua on Monday, four members of the family, including two minor girls Tulasi and Gunabati, fell ill.
Thereafter, they were rushed to Ramgiri Primary Health Centre for treatment. Unfortunately, Tulasi died while undergoing treatment. Later, the other patients were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Paralakhemundi as their health condition deteriorated. There, Gunabati succumbed to her illness while undergoing treatment.
Three other family members, including Shiva Shankar’s father, Arjun Badamundi, and his 13-year-old daughter, Sumitra, have been taken to Brahmapur Medical College and Hospital for further treatment. Their condition is critical.
The exact cause of the deaths will be confirmed after the post-mortem report is released, said the doctors.
Upon getting the information, police arrived at the spot and seized the bodies before sending them for post-mortem.
Further investigation into the matter was underway.
