Malkangiri: At time when deaths due to Japanese Encephalitis continues to remain unabated in tribal dominated Malkangiri district, Congress leader and former Nabarangpur MP Pradip Majhi has called for ‘Judhyam Dehi’ movement and has announced to observe fast-unto-death from December 21 demanding fulfilment of his demands.
The three demands made by Pradip Majhi are- filling up of vacant doctor posts in Malkangiri district, starting of vaccination drive and Rs 12 lakh compensation for the family members of the deceased.
Talking to newsmen, Majhi, said, “The ruling BJD government has failed completely to restrict the spread of the vector-borne disease in Malkangiri district. Till now, the vacant doctor posts in the distirct are not filled, vaccination drive has not started and the government has not given Rs 12 lakh compensation to the family members of the victim.”
“So we have decided to stage dharna and observe fast-unto-death from December 21 in front of Raj Bhavan, if the government fails to meet our demands by December 20,” Majhi added.
Reacting on the development, BJD spokes person Rabi Narayan Nanda, said, “We are also batting for vaccination drive but, we cannot start it without the support from Central government. We request everyone to support in restricting the spread of the disease in the district and not to politicise the issue.”
“It is really unfortunate to compare the lives of children lost due to the Japanese Encephalitis with some currency notes,” Nanda added.
Also read: Japanese Encephalitis under control, claims Odisha government
Meanwhile, the death toll due to Japanese Encephalitis mounted to 118 as one more girl child undergoing treatment at district headquarters hospital died on Thursday.
The deceased has been identified as Pramila Padiami (2) of Bandaguda under Korakanda block in the district.