News Analysis India

Tag: Chhattisgarh

  • BJP attacks Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel govt on ‘liquor ban’

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: One of the key poll promises by the ruling Congress ahead of the Assembly polls 2018 was on liquor ban, which is now rumbling politically in Chhattisgarh with the opposition BJP gearing-up to sharpen its attack on the Bhupesh Baghel government. The elections in the state are due next year. 

    While the opposition has been consistently demanding total prohibition in the state, the Congress is not expressing any disinclination, but countered that the process on liquor ban will not be done like the demonetisation. It will be done on the basis of the observations compiled by the three committees constituted by the government. The Congress maintained that it will review the possibilities of closing down liquor sales.

    The state health minister T S Singhdeo recently expressed reservations over Chhattisgarh likely becoming a complete ‘dry state’. “Liquor can be banned in around 61 development blocks but imposing prohibition in the tribal areas may not be possible,” he said.Political observers believed that liquor ban promise by Congress party apparently won the appreciation from the women who constitute nearly 50 per cent of the voters in the state.

    Three committees comprised experts, social workers and legislators were formed to study the prospect of prohibition in the state. “Based on observations of the committees the government will initiate action. We have corresponded with four states that imposed liquor ban regarding study tours, but have not received any response so far. The process will begin after we receive the reply,” said Satyanarayan Sharma, who heads a political committee on liquor prohibition. 

    During the last three years and a half, only three meetings of the committee were held.The BJP Mahila Morcha has launched a major campaign against the state government on liquor ban and crime against women.

    “There will be a month-long programme right from the village level to district across the state. On November 3, the Morcha will organise a mega rally that will see the participation of one lakh women,” said Saroj Pandey, BJP MP.

    RAIPUR: One of the key poll promises by the ruling Congress ahead of the Assembly polls 2018 was on liquor ban, which is now rumbling politically in Chhattisgarh with the opposition BJP gearing-up to sharpen its attack on the Bhupesh Baghel government. The elections in the state are due next year. 

    While the opposition has been consistently demanding total prohibition in the state, the Congress is not expressing any disinclination, but countered that the process on liquor ban will not be done like the demonetisation. It will be done on the basis of the observations compiled by the three committees constituted by the government. The Congress maintained that it will review the possibilities of closing down liquor sales.

    The state health minister T S Singhdeo recently expressed reservations over Chhattisgarh likely becoming a complete ‘dry state’. “Liquor can be banned in around 61 development blocks but imposing prohibition in the tribal areas may not be possible,” he said.Political observers believed that liquor ban promise by Congress party apparently won the appreciation from the women who constitute nearly 50 per cent of the voters in the state.

    Three committees comprised experts, social workers and legislators were formed to study the prospect of prohibition in the state. “Based on observations of the committees the government will initiate action. We have corresponded with four states that imposed liquor ban regarding study tours, but have not received any response so far. The process will begin after we receive the reply,” said Satyanarayan Sharma, who heads a political committee on liquor prohibition. 

    During the last three years and a half, only three meetings of the committee were held.The BJP Mahila Morcha has launched a major campaign against the state government on liquor ban and crime against women.

    “There will be a month-long programme right from the village level to district across the state. On November 3, the Morcha will organise a mega rally that will see the participation of one lakh women,” said Saroj Pandey, BJP MP.

  • Chhattisgarh: 6 held with Indian flapshell turtle meant for sacrifice on Diwali day to bring wealth  

    By PTI

    DURG: Police have recovered an Indian flapshell turtle in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district and arrested six persons who allegedly planned to sacrifice the animal on Diwali assuming the act would bring them wealth and prosperity, an official said on Monday.

    The Indian flapshell turtle, a freshwater species of turtle, is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act.

    The six persons were arrested on Sunday at Maitri Garden Square in Maroda area of Durg, Newai station house officer Mamta Ali Sharma said.

    The accused were travelling in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) with a Maharashtra registration number.

    They tried to escape when a police patrolling team asked them to stop on the basis of suspicion, the official said.

    The police recovered the turtle, kept in a plastic bag, from their possession following which they were apprehended, she said.

    During interrogation, the accused told the police that they had brought the turtle from Nagpur in Maharashtra and were heading to Dhamtari in Chhattisgarh where they planned to sacrifice it on Diwali night (Monday), believing such an act would bring wealth and prosperity to them, the official said.

    The accused, in the age group of 22 to 65 years, were booked under provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, she said.

    Four of the accused belonged to Nagpur and two hailed from Durg district, the police added.

    DURG: Police have recovered an Indian flapshell turtle in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district and arrested six persons who allegedly planned to sacrifice the animal on Diwali assuming the act would bring them wealth and prosperity, an official said on Monday.

    The Indian flapshell turtle, a freshwater species of turtle, is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act.

    The six persons were arrested on Sunday at Maitri Garden Square in Maroda area of Durg, Newai station house officer Mamta Ali Sharma said.

    The accused were travelling in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) with a Maharashtra registration number.

    They tried to escape when a police patrolling team asked them to stop on the basis of suspicion, the official said.

    The police recovered the turtle, kept in a plastic bag, from their possession following which they were apprehended, she said.

    During interrogation, the accused told the police that they had brought the turtle from Nagpur in Maharashtra and were heading to Dhamtari in Chhattisgarh where they planned to sacrifice it on Diwali night (Monday), believing such an act would bring wealth and prosperity to them, the official said.

    The accused, in the age group of 22 to 65 years, were booked under provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, she said.

    Four of the accused belonged to Nagpur and two hailed from Durg district, the police added.

  • Off the ground: An ‘Olympics’ with a traditional twist in Chhattisgarh

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: Gilli danda, lattoo, kanche… Games that were once a part of daily life, but which have only gone down in the popularity index over the last three decades or so. However, these and other such traditional sports are set to see a boost in Chhattisgarh, with the state government holding a tournament this week. 

    The Chhattisgarhia Olympics, which will begin on October 6, will comprise a series of contests in 14 traditional games in six categories. The competitions will be organised at the rural as well as the urban level, with events being held in three age groups up to 18 years, 18-40 years and above 40 years for both genders. The list of events includes singles as well as group categories. 

    The sports included in the line-up are gilli danda, pitthool, sankhali, langdi daud, kabaddi, kho-kho, banti (kancha/ marbles) for the group category, and billas, fugdi, gedi daud, bhanwara (lattoo), 100-metre run, and long and high jump for the individual category.

    “The objective of this initiative is to promote traditional sports activities in rural and urban areas, offer a platform to sporting talent, encourage sportsman spirit and fitness. These sports, once the spirited part of our life, shouldn’t be led to vanish,” Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said.

    A Rajiv Gandhi Yuva Mitan (Youth Friends) Club has been set up at various levels, including the gram panchayat and the municipal bodies, for this purpose. The competitions will begin at the local club, followed by the block, district, divisional and lastly the state level. Dates have been announced for contests at each level. The finals will be held from December 28 to January 6, an official said.

    Various departments have been given the responsibility to draw the guidelines and organise the event. Organising committees will be formed for each contest at different levels to encourage participation and select the judges for each game. 

    RAIPUR: Gilli danda, lattoo, kanche… Games that were once a part of daily life, but which have only gone down in the popularity index over the last three decades or so. However, these and other such traditional sports are set to see a boost in Chhattisgarh, with the state government holding a tournament this week. 

    The Chhattisgarhia Olympics, which will begin on October 6, will comprise a series of contests in 14 traditional games in six categories. The competitions will be organised at the rural as well as the urban level, with events being held in three age groups up to 18 years, 18-40 years and above 40 years for both genders. The list of events includes singles as well as group categories. 

    The sports included in the line-up are gilli danda, pitthool, sankhali, langdi daud, kabaddi, kho-kho, banti (kancha/ marbles) for the group category, and billas, fugdi, gedi daud, bhanwara (lattoo), 100-metre run, and long and high jump for the individual category.

    “The objective of this initiative is to promote traditional sports activities in rural and urban areas, offer a platform to sporting talent, encourage sportsman spirit and fitness. These sports, once the spirited part of our life, shouldn’t be led to vanish,” Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said.

    A Rajiv Gandhi Yuva Mitan (Youth Friends) Club has been set up at various levels, including the gram panchayat and the municipal bodies, for this purpose. The competitions will begin at the local club, followed by the block, district, divisional and lastly the state level. Dates have been announced for contests at each level. The finals will be held from December 28 to January 6, an official said.

    Various departments have been given the responsibility to draw the guidelines and organise the event. Organising committees will be formed for each contest at different levels to encourage participation and select the judges for each game.
     

  • Five decades on, residential complex in Chhattisgarh still stands testimony to India-Russia bond

    By PTI

    BHILAI: A walk through the heart of ‘steel city’ Bhilai in Chhattisgarh leads to a beautifully landscaped residential colony which came up for Russians in late 1970s.

    Located in the middle of wide roads lined with lush green trees, the premises named ‘Russian Complex’ still stands firmly, symbolising the bond between India and Russia, though no Russians live there any more.

    The history of the complex, located 40 kilometres from capital Raipur, is related to the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), one of the first integrated steel units set up in the country in 1950s with the collaboration of the then Soviet Union.

    Dr Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India, inaugurated the BSP in 1959 in Bhilai in the undivided Madhya Pradesh and now located in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district.

    The plant attracted a large number of people from other states including Bihar, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh for jobs, which gave rise to a cosmopolitan culture and the Bhilai sector area township with multiple facilities.

    As the plant was built with Russian technology, technicians and experts from that country also stayed here for more than four decades and worked in the plant.

    In February 1955, an agreement was signed between India and the Soviet Union for the integrated iron and steel plant in Bhilai and since then the influx of Russians started here, retired BSP officials told PTI.

    During the initial days, engineers and experts from Russia along with their Indian counterparts stayed in Durg circuit house where tents were also set up for accommodating them, said Kiran Kapoor, who retired as executive director (material management) from the BSP in 2010.

    They were later shifted to Bhilai Niwas, which is now known as ‘Bhilai Hotel’.

    In late 1970s, the sprawling Russian Complex, which had 153 houses, was built for them in Sector-7 of the Bhilai township, he said.

    “I had a lot of friends in the Russian Complex. We never felt like outsiders as they mixed up with us and even celebrated Indian festivals. Like me, other Indians who worked in the plant used to spend time with the Russians there,” Kapoor said.

    Till 1984-85, several Russian experts continued to work in the plant, but their presence started diminishing later with the introduction of technologies from other countries like Germany, Canada and Austria during the expansion of the plant, he said.

    A few Russian experts worked in the plant till 2007-08 for operation and management of its blast furnace.

    But, they had vacated the Russian Complex long before that, he said.

    Despite Russians no longer staying in the complex, its name was never changed.

    It still signifies the cordial relations between India and Russia, Kapoor said.

    Ludmila Mukherji (59) is among some of those Russian women who married Indians and settled in Bhilai.

    Her memory of the Russian Complex exhibits its joyful scene.

    “I met Subrato Mukherjee in Ukraine in 1980 when he was there to pursue an engineering course. We got married in 1985 and I came with him here in 1986,” she said.

    Ludmila Mukherji said she initially worked as secretary to a general manager in the BSP from the Russian side and later as an interpreter.

    Her husband retired from the BSP in 2019.

    She now owns a boutique here and lives in Sector-10, close to the Russian Complex.

    “Though I was not living in the Russian Complex, my initial days in Bhilai were mostly spent there.  I even used to teach the wife of some Russian BSP officials in the complex. I can never forget those days,” she said.

    She became emotional remembering those days and said she could not specify precisely when the Russians started vacating the complex, but it was sometime in the early 1990s.

    “My father was from Russia and mother from Ukraine. I have family members in both countries,” she said.

    Ludmila last visited Ukraine and Russia in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

    Subir Daripa, who retired from the BSP’s public relations department this year, said Russians had very close relations with Indians in Bhilai.

    “The Russians were never sort of segregated from the rest of the Indian population in Bhilai. It was not like that Indians were not allowed inside the Russian Complex. We have seen the Russians since our childhood. They used to visit local vegetable market carrying bags. Potatoes were their favourite,” Daripa said.

    He said a well landscaped swimming pool for Russians in the complex, which has now become a part of the Bhilai Management Development Centre set up there, also fascinated them at that time.

    “We still remember the weekly and annual cultural programmes which used to held in the complex under the Indo-Soviet Forum,” he said.

    After the Russians started vacating the complex, the houses were allotted to BSP officials.

    Though there are no Russians in the complex now, the place still reminds of them, he said.

    BHILAI: A walk through the heart of ‘steel city’ Bhilai in Chhattisgarh leads to a beautifully landscaped residential colony which came up for Russians in late 1970s.

    Located in the middle of wide roads lined with lush green trees, the premises named ‘Russian Complex’ still stands firmly, symbolising the bond between India and Russia, though no Russians live there any more.

    The history of the complex, located 40 kilometres from capital Raipur, is related to the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), one of the first integrated steel units set up in the country in 1950s with the collaboration of the then Soviet Union.

    Dr Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India, inaugurated the BSP in 1959 in Bhilai in the undivided Madhya Pradesh and now located in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district.

    The plant attracted a large number of people from other states including Bihar, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh for jobs, which gave rise to a cosmopolitan culture and the Bhilai sector area township with multiple facilities.

    As the plant was built with Russian technology, technicians and experts from that country also stayed here for more than four decades and worked in the plant.

    In February 1955, an agreement was signed between India and the Soviet Union for the integrated iron and steel plant in Bhilai and since then the influx of Russians started here, retired BSP officials told PTI.

    During the initial days, engineers and experts from Russia along with their Indian counterparts stayed in Durg circuit house where tents were also set up for accommodating them, said Kiran Kapoor, who retired as executive director (material management) from the BSP in 2010.

    They were later shifted to Bhilai Niwas, which is now known as ‘Bhilai Hotel’.

    In late 1970s, the sprawling Russian Complex, which had 153 houses, was built for them in Sector-7 of the Bhilai township, he said.

    “I had a lot of friends in the Russian Complex. We never felt like outsiders as they mixed up with us and even celebrated Indian festivals. Like me, other Indians who worked in the plant used to spend time with the Russians there,” Kapoor said.

    Till 1984-85, several Russian experts continued to work in the plant, but their presence started diminishing later with the introduction of technologies from other countries like Germany, Canada and Austria during the expansion of the plant, he said.

    A few Russian experts worked in the plant till 2007-08 for operation and management of its blast furnace.

    But, they had vacated the Russian Complex long before that, he said.

    Despite Russians no longer staying in the complex, its name was never changed.

    It still signifies the cordial relations between India and Russia, Kapoor said.

    Ludmila Mukherji (59) is among some of those Russian women who married Indians and settled in Bhilai.

    Her memory of the Russian Complex exhibits its joyful scene.

    “I met Subrato Mukherjee in Ukraine in 1980 when he was there to pursue an engineering course. We got married in 1985 and I came with him here in 1986,” she said.

    Ludmila Mukherji said she initially worked as secretary to a general manager in the BSP from the Russian side and later as an interpreter.

    Her husband retired from the BSP in 2019.

    She now owns a boutique here and lives in Sector-10, close to the Russian Complex.

    “Though I was not living in the Russian Complex, my initial days in Bhilai were mostly spent there.  I even used to teach the wife of some Russian BSP officials in the complex. I can never forget those days,” she said.

    She became emotional remembering those days and said she could not specify precisely when the Russians started vacating the complex, but it was sometime in the early 1990s.

    “My father was from Russia and mother from Ukraine. I have family members in both countries,” she said.

    Ludmila last visited Ukraine and Russia in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

    Subir Daripa, who retired from the BSP’s public relations department this year, said Russians had very close relations with Indians in Bhilai.

    “The Russians were never sort of segregated from the rest of the Indian population in Bhilai. It was not like that Indians were not allowed inside the Russian Complex. We have seen the Russians since our childhood. They used to visit local vegetable market carrying bags. Potatoes were their favourite,” Daripa said.

    He said a well landscaped swimming pool for Russians in the complex, which has now become a part of the Bhilai Management Development Centre set up there, also fascinated them at that time.

    “We still remember the weekly and annual cultural programmes which used to held in the complex under the Indo-Soviet Forum,” he said.

    After the Russians started vacating the complex, the houses were allotted to BSP officials.

    Though there are no Russians in the complex now, the place still reminds of them, he said.

  • Chhattisgarh: Two killed in elephant attacks in Surajpur

    By PTI

    KORBA: Two senior citizens were killed in separate incidents of elephant attacks in Chhattisgarh’s Surajpur district on Sunday, forest officials said.

    The incidents took place in Premnagar forest range, where a herd of 12 elephants has been roaming around since last week, they said.

    The first incident took place around 12.30 am near Abhaypur village, where one of the victims Manbodh God (70) and another villager were having dinner after performing rituals at a temple in the forest, said Sanjay Yadav, divisional forest officer of Surajpur forest division.

    On seeing the herd, the villager managed to escape but one of the elephants caught hold of Manbodh and trampled him to death, he said, adding that villagers had been warned against venturing into the forest.

    Similarly, Raimati God (70) was attacked by the same herd while she was asleep in her hut in Janardanpur village.

    She died on the spot, he said.

    Forest officials rushed to the scene of the incidents and sent the bodies for post-mortem, the official said.

    A team of forest personnel has been tracking the movement of the herd, and villagers have been alerted, he said.

    Family members of each of the victims were given an immediate aid of Rs 25,000, while the remaining compensation of Rs 5.75 lakh each will be given after the completion of formalities, officials said.

    Human-elephant conflicts in the state, particularly in the northern part, has been a major cause of concern for the last one decade.

    The menace has been to districts in the central region in the last few years.

    The districts facing the menace include Surguja, Raigarh, Korba, Surajpur, Mahasamund, Dhamtari, Gariaband, Balod, Balrampur and Kanker.

    According to the forest department, more than 210 people were killed in elephant attacks in the state in the last three years.

    KORBA: Two senior citizens were killed in separate incidents of elephant attacks in Chhattisgarh’s Surajpur district on Sunday, forest officials said.

    The incidents took place in Premnagar forest range, where a herd of 12 elephants has been roaming around since last week, they said.

    The first incident took place around 12.30 am near Abhaypur village, where one of the victims Manbodh God (70) and another villager were having dinner after performing rituals at a temple in the forest, said Sanjay Yadav, divisional forest officer of Surajpur forest division.

    On seeing the herd, the villager managed to escape but one of the elephants caught hold of Manbodh and trampled him to death, he said, adding that villagers had been warned against venturing into the forest.

    Similarly, Raimati God (70) was attacked by the same herd while she was asleep in her hut in Janardanpur village.

    She died on the spot, he said.

    Forest officials rushed to the scene of the incidents and sent the bodies for post-mortem, the official said.

    A team of forest personnel has been tracking the movement of the herd, and villagers have been alerted, he said.

    Family members of each of the victims were given an immediate aid of Rs 25,000, while the remaining compensation of Rs 5.75 lakh each will be given after the completion of formalities, officials said.

    Human-elephant conflicts in the state, particularly in the northern part, has been a major cause of concern for the last one decade.

    The menace has been to districts in the central region in the last few years.

    The districts facing the menace include Surguja, Raigarh, Korba, Surajpur, Mahasamund, Dhamtari, Gariaband, Balod, Balrampur and Kanker.

    According to the forest department, more than 210 people were killed in elephant attacks in the state in the last three years.

  • Surrendered Naxalite killed in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur

    By PTI

    BIJAPUR: Naxalites allegedly murdered a former colleague, who had surrendered before the police three months ago, in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, a senior official said on Sunday.

    Baman Poyam, who was in his 40s, was found dead on a road near Pondum village under Bhairamgarh police station limits this morning, the official said.

    Poyam, who was a Maoist janmilitia member, had surrendered before the police in Bijapur on May 30 and had since been staying in the Police Lines area, he said.

    As per preliminary information, Poyam went missing a few days ago from Police Lines and the local police was trying to trace him, the official said.

    On being alerted about the death, a police team reached the spot and recovered the body, he said.

    “Poyam’s body bore injury marks made by sharp-edged weapons. Prima facie, it seems to be the handiwork of Naxalites, but an investigation is underway,” the official added.

    BIJAPUR: Naxalites allegedly murdered a former colleague, who had surrendered before the police three months ago, in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, a senior official said on Sunday.

    Baman Poyam, who was in his 40s, was found dead on a road near Pondum village under Bhairamgarh police station limits this morning, the official said.

    Poyam, who was a Maoist janmilitia member, had surrendered before the police in Bijapur on May 30 and had since been staying in the Police Lines area, he said.

    As per preliminary information, Poyam went missing a few days ago from Police Lines and the local police was trying to trace him, the official said.

    On being alerted about the death, a police team reached the spot and recovered the body, he said.

    “Poyam’s body bore injury marks made by sharp-edged weapons. Prima facie, it seems to be the handiwork of Naxalites, but an investigation is underway,” the official added.

  • Chhattisgarh government launches green drive on Janmashtami

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR:  The Bhupesh Baghel government in Chhattisgarh on Friday invoked the sentiment associated with Lord Krishna on Janmashtami, and launched a drive on tree plantation. The campaign, called ‘Krishna Kunj’, was launched in all urban areas of the state. 

    The government has earmarked a minimum of one acre in each urban municipal body to begin the environment-friendly initiative on the plantation of select venerated trees having traditional values.

    With works continuing on the state’s ‘Ram Van Gaman Path’ (the route undertaken by Lord Ram’s 14 years of exile in Chhattisgarh) and evolving as key religious tourism, the Congress government is now going ahead to create ‘Krishna Kunj’ land where trees like Banyan, Peepal, Neem, Burflower (Kadam), Babul, mulberry, custard apple among others will be planted in all urban areas.

    “India has an ancient tradition of worshipping trees like Banyan, Peepal, Neem, Kadam and others that have gained a significant space in our cultural history as they remain beneficial to mankind. Their existence is now endangered in the name of development of urban areas and if such a tendency persists, our future generations would be unaware of the cultural values of these plants”, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said.

    RAIPUR:  The Bhupesh Baghel government in Chhattisgarh on Friday invoked the sentiment associated with Lord Krishna on Janmashtami, and launched a drive on tree plantation. The campaign, called ‘Krishna Kunj’, was launched in all urban areas of the state. 

    The government has earmarked a minimum of one acre in each urban municipal body to begin the environment-friendly initiative on the plantation of select venerated trees having traditional values.

    With works continuing on the state’s ‘Ram Van Gaman Path’ (the route undertaken by Lord Ram’s 14 years of exile in Chhattisgarh) and evolving as key religious tourism, the Congress government is now going ahead to create ‘Krishna Kunj’ land where trees like Banyan, Peepal, Neem, Burflower (Kadam), Babul, mulberry, custard apple among others will be planted in all urban areas.

    “India has an ancient tradition of worshipping trees like Banyan, Peepal, Neem, Kadam and others that have gained a significant space in our cultural history as they remain beneficial to mankind. Their existence is now endangered in the name of development of urban areas and if such a tendency persists, our future generations would be unaware of the cultural values of these plants”, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said.

  • 61 residents in Chhattisgarh village died of ‘unknown’ illness in couple of years, claim locals

    By PTI

    SUKMA: Residents of a remote village in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district have claimed that 61 people died there in nearly last three years due to some “unknown” illness, following which the authorities have swung into action to know what exactly caused these deaths.

    The residents of Regadgatta village, located in Konta development block, recently raised this issue with the district authorities, who said that the preliminary investigation of records shows that 47 people died due to various reasons, including ailments and natural causes.

    A detailed report to identify heavy metal content like arsenic in water and soil there is awaited, officials said, adding that on August 8, a team of specialists will be sent to the village for an in-depth study of environmental causes.

    The population of the village is more than 1,000 with 130 families residing there.

    On July 27, the villagers handed over a letter to Sukma district collector, claiming that 61 people, including young men and women, who had symptoms of swelling on their hands and legs, have died there since 2020.

    The villagers requested the administration to send a team of doctors immediately to deal with the issue to prevent further deaths.

    After locals raised the issue, a team of healthcare personnel and other experts were sent there last week, Sukma collector Harish S told PTI.

    “Preliminary investigation suggests that 47 people died in that village in the last three years but all of them did not die due to the same reason as claimed by the locals,” he added.

    Some of the deceased had swelling on their bodies and it could be due to different reasons.

    READ HERE | High uranium in groundwater in Bihar leaves authorities worried, sample sent to Lucknow lab

    Preliminary reports of samples of water sources concluded that fluoride level was more than the limit in two water sources while in some sources, iron content was in excess, he said.

    “But as of now, we cannot say that the deaths were caused due to heavy metal content in water as consumption of water carrying high fluoride causes bone weakness and there are no such symptoms in the local population,” he said.

    Even high iron content causes complications but sudden deaths cannot happen due to it.

    There could be other environmental causes.

    Chronic alcoholic behaviour among the population could also be also a possibility (for kidney-related ailments), he added.

    A detailed report to identify heavy metal content like arsenic in water and soil there is awaited, he said.

    The collector said the team of health officials, which visited the village after the matter came to light, had conducted medical examinations on villagers during which 41 people were identified as having swelling in their body and suffering from kidney-related issues.

    The examination revealed uric acid and creatinine level were elevated as compared to normal parameters on them.

    They are being provided treatment and their condition was stable, he said.

    Of them, two highly anaemic patients were admitted to Sukma district hospital, he said.

    On August 8, a team of specialists will be sent to the village for further study of environmental causes, he added.

    District’s Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Yashwant Dhruv said preliminary investigation shows 15 deaths took place in the village this year due to multiple reasons, including renal diseases, old-age related problems and malaria.

    How many of them died due to renal diseases cannot be confirmed as of now, he said.

    Out of 20 water sources examined, fluoride content was found to be high in two hand pumps following which it was shut for use while villagers have advised not use eight water sources for drinking purpose as iron content in it was excess then limit, he said.

    Some of the villagers have mild symptoms of chronic renal disease and further tests are underway, he added.

    An ANM (auxiliary nurse midwife) was recently appointed at a sub-health centre there, he said.

    SUKMA: Residents of a remote village in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district have claimed that 61 people died there in nearly last three years due to some “unknown” illness, following which the authorities have swung into action to know what exactly caused these deaths.

    The residents of Regadgatta village, located in Konta development block, recently raised this issue with the district authorities, who said that the preliminary investigation of records shows that 47 people died due to various reasons, including ailments and natural causes.

    A detailed report to identify heavy metal content like arsenic in water and soil there is awaited, officials said, adding that on August 8, a team of specialists will be sent to the village for an in-depth study of environmental causes.

    The population of the village is more than 1,000 with 130 families residing there.

    On July 27, the villagers handed over a letter to Sukma district collector, claiming that 61 people, including young men and women, who had symptoms of swelling on their hands and legs, have died there since 2020.

    The villagers requested the administration to send a team of doctors immediately to deal with the issue to prevent further deaths.

    After locals raised the issue, a team of healthcare personnel and other experts were sent there last week, Sukma collector Harish S told PTI.

    “Preliminary investigation suggests that 47 people died in that village in the last three years but all of them did not die due to the same reason as claimed by the locals,” he added.

    Some of the deceased had swelling on their bodies and it could be due to different reasons.

    READ HERE | High uranium in groundwater in Bihar leaves authorities worried, sample sent to Lucknow lab

    Preliminary reports of samples of water sources concluded that fluoride level was more than the limit in two water sources while in some sources, iron content was in excess, he said.

    “But as of now, we cannot say that the deaths were caused due to heavy metal content in water as consumption of water carrying high fluoride causes bone weakness and there are no such symptoms in the local population,” he said.

    Even high iron content causes complications but sudden deaths cannot happen due to it.

    There could be other environmental causes.

    Chronic alcoholic behaviour among the population could also be also a possibility (for kidney-related ailments), he added.

    A detailed report to identify heavy metal content like arsenic in water and soil there is awaited, he said.

    The collector said the team of health officials, which visited the village after the matter came to light, had conducted medical examinations on villagers during which 41 people were identified as having swelling in their body and suffering from kidney-related issues.

    The examination revealed uric acid and creatinine level were elevated as compared to normal parameters on them.

    They are being provided treatment and their condition was stable, he said.

    Of them, two highly anaemic patients were admitted to Sukma district hospital, he said.

    On August 8, a team of specialists will be sent to the village for further study of environmental causes, he added.

    District’s Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Yashwant Dhruv said preliminary investigation shows 15 deaths took place in the village this year due to multiple reasons, including renal diseases, old-age related problems and malaria.

    How many of them died due to renal diseases cannot be confirmed as of now, he said.

    Out of 20 water sources examined, fluoride content was found to be high in two hand pumps following which it was shut for use while villagers have advised not use eight water sources for drinking purpose as iron content in it was excess then limit, he said.

    Some of the villagers have mild symptoms of chronic renal disease and further tests are underway, he added.

    An ANM (auxiliary nurse midwife) was recently appointed at a sub-health centre there, he said.

  • As rains batter several parts of Chhattisgarh, CM asks officials to be on alert

    By PTI

    RAIPUR: Authorities in several parts of Chhattisgarh, including Raipur, were on Saturday asked to stay alert for flood-like situations due to heavy rains since the previous day.

    Bijapur in south Bastar is worst-affected with several small rivers and rivulets flooded, leading to disruption in normal life for people, an official said.

    Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has asked district collectors, superintendents of police and urban bodies to be on alert in view of cyclonic rains in the state, an official statement said.

    “The CM has directed them to ensure all disaster management related measures are in place to deal with any situation like water logging and floods,” the official said.

    The release said there is possibility of heavy rain in all divisions of the state, except Surguja, due to a cyclonic circulation over interior Odisha.

    “Bijapur has been witnessing continuous rainfall from two days. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and police have been deployed for timely evacuation of people. The district collector and SP visited affected areas,” the official said.

    Meanwhile, 11 members of a family, including women and children, who were trapped in Jhadigutta village in Kutru area of Bijapur on Friday night amid heavy rains were rescued by SDRF and police personnel this morning, he added.

    Water from the swollen Mingachal river entered the camps of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) in Mingahcal and Darba villages after which personnel stationed there had to be shifted to safety, the official said.

    The Meteorological Centre Raipur has predicted light to moderate rainfall in several parts on Sunday and heavy rainfall at one or two places.

    RAIPUR: Authorities in several parts of Chhattisgarh, including Raipur, were on Saturday asked to stay alert for flood-like situations due to heavy rains since the previous day.

    Bijapur in south Bastar is worst-affected with several small rivers and rivulets flooded, leading to disruption in normal life for people, an official said.

    Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has asked district collectors, superintendents of police and urban bodies to be on alert in view of cyclonic rains in the state, an official statement said.

    “The CM has directed them to ensure all disaster management related measures are in place to deal with any situation like water logging and floods,” the official said.

    The release said there is possibility of heavy rain in all divisions of the state, except Surguja, due to a cyclonic circulation over interior Odisha.

    “Bijapur has been witnessing continuous rainfall from two days. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and police have been deployed for timely evacuation of people. The district collector and SP visited affected areas,” the official said.

    Meanwhile, 11 members of a family, including women and children, who were trapped in Jhadigutta village in Kutru area of Bijapur on Friday night amid heavy rains were rescued by SDRF and police personnel this morning, he added.

    Water from the swollen Mingachal river entered the camps of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) in Mingahcal and Darba villages after which personnel stationed there had to be shifted to safety, the official said.

    The Meteorological Centre Raipur has predicted light to moderate rainfall in several parts on Sunday and heavy rainfall at one or two places.

  • Congress needs to win Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh again before facing 2024 polls: Ashok Gehlot

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said the Congress needed to form a government in Madhya Pradesh and also repeat its previous success in his own state and Chhattisgarh before it can face the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

    Addressing the concluding session of a two-day party workshop here, the CM said the Rajasthan government has introduced excellent schemes but there should be proper “marketing” just as the BJP does at the grassroots-level.

    Referring to complaints by some Congress leaders against a few bureaucrats in Rajasthan, he said officials will remain with them as long as they themselves are strong.

    He said the Congress will form the government in Rajasthan again and should also return to power in Chhattisgarh.

    He said the party also needed to be back in power in Madhya Pradesh, which is now run by a BJP government.

    “Only then can we face the 2024 election,” he said at the two-day workshop organised by the state unit of the Congress to discuss the decisions taken at the party’s national-level “Chintan Shivir” in Udaipur last month.

    Speaking a day after former CM Sachin Pilot said the Congress needed to evaluate why it has failed to return to power in Rajasthan in the past, Gehlot suggested that the party now needed to look ahead at the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

    Unlike the BJP the Congress was not “marketing” its achievements at the state-level, he said.

    “Our people are sitting silent. If we do not speak, how will the people get to know.”

    Gehlot said Rahul Gandhi’s remark at the “Chintan Shivir” that the party’s connection with people has broken is an eye-opener.

    “Rahul Gandhi has also said the BJP has sprinkled kerosene across the country. The situation is very alarming. The BJP has put democracy in danger,” he charged.

    He said that Congress faced a crisis during the time of former prime minister Indira Gandhi but the challenge now was different.

    “Today we need to work a hundred times harder,” he said.

    He said the party organisation should be given importance and the feedback on people’s demands and complaints should come to the Congress governments through it.

    On Rajasthan Congress leaders raising questions over the state bureaucracy, the CM said if officers don’t work, it takes just a minute to replace them.

    “They are permanent (employees). The officers are with you only when they feel that you are strong,” he said, adding that they will turn their back on them when they sense that the government is on its way out.

    Recently, Sports Minister Ashok Chandna had expressed anguish over the conduct of CM’s principal secretary Kuldeep Ranka.

    Party MLA Ganesh Ghoghra and some other leaders have also expressed displeasure with the bureaucracy.