Rahul Gandhi expresses concern on reported deaths of tribal children in MP's Balaghat

New Delhi/Bhopal: Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday expressed concern over the reported deaths of 30 tribal children in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat district, alleging that lack of basic facilities such as drinking water, nutrition and timely medical treatment was claiming children's lives.

"The news of the deaths of 30 tribal children in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, is extremely concerning and distressing," LoP Gandhi said on social media platform X.

He added that, along with this deadly disease, the lack of basic facilities such as drinking water, nutrition, and timely treatment is claiming the lives of children.

"This is a complete failure of the state government. The Chief Minister (Mohan Yadav) himself should resolve this issue and ensure immediate investigation, treatment and relief in the area. There can be no compromise when it comes to the lives of children," LoP Gandhi's social media post said.

Rahul Gandhi's remarks came amid reports of deaths of Baiga tribal children in villages of Birsa block in Balaghat, where the state health department has intensified screening and surveillance.

Earlier in the day, Madhya Pradesh Leader of Opposition (LoP) Umang Singhar wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention in the matter and demanding a high-level medical inquiry into the reported deaths.

"The continuing deaths of Baiga tribal children in Balaghat are extremely painful and alarming. Deaths from treatable diseases raise serious questions about the implementation of welfare schemes on the ground," LoP Singhar said in his letter.

However, the reported death toll remains disputed, with Congress leaders citing a higher toll while authorities have maintained a lower officially confirmed number and continued investigations into the causes of the illnesses and deaths.

Notably, Baiga community is classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), and the affected villages are located in the predominantly forested tribal belt of Balaghat.

Balaghat was earlier among the two Maoist-affected districts of Madhya Pradesh.

The district has now been declared free of Naxalism by the state government following sustained security operations and development initiatives in the region.

The district shares its borders with Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh and has historically witnessed Maoist activity in its remote forest areas.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has visited Balaghat on August 30 and had chaired meeting with district officials to take stock of the situation and developments in the district.

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