BALAGHAT: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday visited tribal villages in the Naxal-affected Birsa block of Balaghat district, where children have died from an unidentified illness since June, and announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for the affected families.
Yadav reached Lanji around 11 am and later visited Bondari village, where he met the families of deceased children in the presence of ministers, MLAs and panchayat representatives. He sought details about nutrition, healthcare and other facilities available in the affected villages.
The government has officially confirmed eight child deaths in villages under the Adori and Machurda panchayats over the past two-and-a-half months, while local residents have claimed the toll is as high as 24. The eighth officially confirmed death was that of three-year-old Priyanka Dhurve, who died at the district hospital on August 11.
Yadav said the affected area would be provided better nutrition, healthcare, education and employment opportunities, along with the benefits of government welfare schemes. He also encouraged tribal residents to take up animal husbandry, goat rearing and poultry farming.
Local MLAs raised issues concerning forest rights pattas and healthcare facilities, while the chief minister assured that these matters would be addressed.
During the visit, tribal women tied rakhis on Yadav’s wrist.
Describing Balaghat as a government priority, Yadav said he and his ministers had visited the interior area, considered a core Naxal-affected region, for the first time in 25 years.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah with helping end Naxal activities in the region.