Starvation death in MP: probe ordered

Chhatarpur(MP), Aug 3 (UNI) The district authorities have ordered an inquiry into a Muslim woman's charge that her 14-year-old daughter Rubi died of starvation here yesterday.

Collector Ajatshatru Shrivastava said Rubi, a resident of the town's Taj Colony, and her younger sister Arju (5) were brought to the district hospital in a serious condition yesterday. The doctors declared Rubi dead and admitted Aarju for treatment.

The girl's mother Akila alleged Rubi died of starvation as the 6-member family was going through a pathetic condition since her handicapped husband Zia Ur-Rehman left home few days ago without disclosing his destination. She was earning a bit through sewing.

The Collector said Rubi's postmortem did not reveal any specific cause of death and the viscera had been preserved. An immediate solatium of Rs 5,000 had been given to the family.

The district administration claims the poverty stricken family has not yet sought any assistance, while her neighbours said Ms Akila made several rounds of the municipal office to get the BPL ration card, but was unsuccessful.

Municipal Council President Pyara Singh said it would be probed why Ms Akila's name was not included in the BPL list.

UNI XC-SP 1205