NHRC issues notice to Orissa Government on Starvation deaths

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo-motu cognizance of media reports that have been appearing in NDTV news reports and has also appeared in today’s Times of India alleging starvation deaths in almost every village in Kashipur in Orissa’s Rayagada District.

The reports have alleged that while more than twenty persons have died in this District, no steps have been taken by the authorities to provide the starving people with alternate food, to the only food that these people have been consuming – a paste made out of mango kernel.

The Commission has, thus, issued notice by fax today to the Chief Secretary, Orissa “for a prompt reply within one week giving details of the action taken to provide food to the needy and to prevent any such death”.