Malaria claims six lives in Bengal's tea garden

Siliguri, May 26 (UNI) Malaria has claimed at least six lives at a tea garden here this week, officials said today.

According to Darjeeling health department report, six tribals including three boys of Fulbari Pattan tea garden under Matigara block have died of Malaria in past few days.

The deceased have been identified as Helarul Oraon (27) Poulus Souria (25), Raj Malpaharia (13), Nikhil Sabar (5), Laxman Goala (51) and Huochi Oraon (8).

Local resident Ashok Kuzur told UNI that this was for the first time that the mosquito borne disease had hit this area. He alleged that so far there was no initiative on the part of the government to combat the disease.

Jogin Souria, father of Poulus, said, ''My son and five others have died of Malaria during last seven days. Now more than 60 people have been affected by the disease. Our plea to the administration to take care of us has gone unheeded''.

West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs minister Asok Bhattacharya recently visited the place and distributed mosquito nets to the villagers. He said, ''Situation is not out of control, I ordered the health department to look after the matter immediately''.

Fulbari Pattan tea garden, about 16 kms north of this town, is area dominated by tribals.

Sabhadhipati of siliguri sub-division Moni Thapa told UNI that ''We have distributed 3000 mosquito hets in Matigara block''. A team of doctors would visit there and study details the cause of the disease, she added.

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