Odisha ‘Anganwadi Sattu deaths': Collector says minors consumed Atta-Besan mix

Two minor girls, who happened to be sisters, died last evening after eating Atta-Besan mix, but not Sattu (Chhatua in local parlance), claimed Gajapati district Collector Bijay Kumar Dash on Monday.

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According to official sources, the sisters died under mysterious circumstances in Ramagiri village under R Udayagiri block of the district. The Collector confirmed indicating that the deaths occurred after the minor girls consumed a food mix believed to be a combination of flour (Atta) and gram flour (Besan) instead of the Chhatua.

Versions of the District Collector

“It was a mix of Atta and Besan, but not Chhatua. I have sent the ADM, DSWO, and others to the spot. They will conduct a detailed probe; because no one else eating the food of the same batch of manufacturing has reportedly been found sick so far,” the Collector said.

“It is difficult to ascertain the exact cause of death at this stage but some poisoning is there. After post-mortem, viscera will also be sent for testing. A sample of the food mix has been kept and I have asked the SP to send it for testing,” the Collector stated.

An investigation has now commenced to determine the exact cause of these fatalities. A team comprising Additional District Magistrate, Deputy Collector, and District Social Welfare Officer has been constituted and the team has started inquiries on location.

The team’s primary goal is to verify whether the food consumed by the family was indeed contaminated and to assess if any others have been adversely affected or not.

The bodies of the two children have been sent to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Paralakhemundi for post-mortem.

Meanwhile, the deceased’s father Arjun Badamundi, and his eldest daughter, who consumed the same food preparation, are experiencing severe repercussions.

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While Arjun and his elder daughter are receiving medical attention at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital (MKCGMCH) in Berhampur, the loss of the two children, aged three and six, has caused significant distress.