Mango kernel deaths: Odisha Congress meets family members of victims

Nabarangpur: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) chief Niranjan Patnaik today met the family members of  three persons who had died after consuming mango kernel at Mainapadar village under Jharigaon block of the tribal dominated Nabarangpur district.

Patnaik expressed his condolences to the family members during his visit. He also lashed out at the State government and the Centre alleging that both have failed to address the concerns of residents of Mainapadar village.

"Both the State and the Centre have no dedication towards development in rural areas," Patnaik said.

Patnaik was accompanied by Bhakta Charan Das, Pradeep Majhi and party MLAs from Koraput and Dabugaon.

Three persons of a family had died last month after consuming the kernel.

Similar cases were reported in 2016 from Kashipur block of Rayagada district in which several villagers died after consuming gruel prepared from mango kernel. The incident had sparked state-wide outcry.