Kolkata, June 14: Concerned at the recent death of a large number of children of an yet undiagnosed disease in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, the Congress today alleged that neglect of the health department and lack of proper coordination with district health officials aggravated the situation. Claiming that over 64 children died due to the disease in Lalgola and Jangipur blocks in Murshidabad district, WBPCC general secretary Manas Bhuiyan told reporters here that his party strongly condemned the present situation. "The serious neglect of the state government health department and lack of proper coordination with Murshidabad health officials have aggravated the situation," he said.
"The situation has gone beyond control. It has created panic among villagers who have started leaving their homes out of fear," said Bhuiyan.
Official sources have said that state government has decided to conduct its own investigation into the deaths. "I have asked (health minister) Surya Kanta Mishra to find out how the deaths occurred," acting Chief Minister Md Amin had said.
He said if the deaths were found to have been caused by negligence, action would be taken against those responsible.
While 19 deaths were initially reported from Lalgola, 20 more children in the age group of one to six years died in different blocks of Jangipur sub-division early this week. Bureau Report