Bhubaneswar: Two minor girls died and two others are in critical condition after allegedly consuming chhatua (roasted flour) provided by an Anganwadi Centre at Ramgiri village under R. Udayagiri police limits in Gajapati district. According to reports, the chhatua was distributed at the Anganwadi centre in Ramagiri village on Friday. The family members of Shiva Shankar Badamundi consumed chhatua on Monday. Soon after, four members of the family, including two minor girls Tulasi and Gunabati, fell ill. They were rushed to Ramgiri Primary Health Centre for treatment, However, Shiva’s daughter Tulasi died while undergoing treatment. After Tulasi’s death, the other critical patients were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Paralakhemundi. There, Shiva’s sister, Gunabati Badamundi, succumbed to her illness while undergoing treatment. The other three family members, including Shiva Shankar’s father, Arjun Badamundi, and 13-year-old daughter, Sumitra have been shifted to the Brahmapur Medical College and Hospital for further treatment. Their condition is stated to be critical. The exact cause of the incident will only be confirmed after the post-mortem report of the deceased is released, according to the doctor who treated the patients. The incident has sent shockwaves in the area, and the local administration has launched an investigation into the matter.
