Mysterious disease claims 6 lives; ex-gratia sought

Former Bhadrachalam MP and CPI (M) State secretariat member Midium Babu Rao says 32 persons are being treated at Government
General Hospital

Rajamahendravaram: Rajamahendravaram CPI (M) district committee expressed anguish over the death of six persons who died due to
the mysterious leg-swelling disease in Annavaram, Lakshmi Puram and Pada Mattapalli villages of V R Puram in East Godavari. He
demanded that the government pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased persons.

Former Bhadrachalam MP and CPI (M) State secretariat member Midium Babu Rao said that 32 persons from these three villages have
been getting treatment at the Government General Hospital in Kakinada and expressed grief over the death of six persons.

Stating that medical experts failed to diagnose the problem, he criticised the authorities that they failed to provide even basic amenities
for the patients. He found fault with the government for showing negligence towards innocent tribals. He demanded ex-gratia of Rs 10
lakh for the deceased persons and stated that sufficient ration should be provided for three months for the families who are suffering
from the disease.

He also urged the government to conduct medical camps in affected villages.

CPI (M) district secretary T Arun said that party cadres would organise padayatras in villages which will be submerged due to Polavaram
project and added that he would spread awareness among them. CPI (M) district secretariat members T S Prakash and S S Murthy and
committee member N Ranga were present on the occasion.