Stravation death probe ordered

Chhatarpur, MP, Aug 3: The district authorities today ordered an inquiry into a Muslim woman's charge that her 14-year-old daughter 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 the latter for treatment.

The girl's mother Akila alleged Rubi died of starvation as the six-member family was going through financial crisis since her physically challenged husband Zia Ur-Rehman abandoned them few days ago. 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 the mother made several unsuccessful attempts at the municipal office to get the BPL ration card.

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

UNI