Probe confirms Madhya Pradesh hunger deaths

A Joint Commission of Inquiry (JCE) instituted by the Commissioner, SC, has confirmed reports of malnutrition deaths in Sheopur, reports Sravani Sarkar.

A Joint Commission of Inquiry (JCE) instituted by the Commissioner, Supreme Court, has confirmed reports of malnutrition deaths in Sheopur and termed the predominantly Saharia tribe district as “one of the malnutrition hotspots of the world”.

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In its report, the five- member JCE warned the district administration of severe drought in the coming summer because of poor monsoon this year.

“Unless steps outlined by the commission are implemented, we can see a human tragedy unfolding next year,” the report observed. The JCE was instituted by commissioner NC Saxena and special commissioner Harsh Mander after advisor to commissioner Mihir Shah intervened following reports that 11 children had died of hunger in the tribal district over the past two years.