CM's village-stay now with Handigodu-affected

Sirsi, May 11 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will spend the night of May 17 in a poor widow's house in Handigodu village, where 'Handigodu' syndrome, a crippling disease, has been in prevalence since 1975.

The disease, for which an effective vaccine was yet to be found, had left people in the hilly Malanad region of the state with dwarfed limbs besides nervous breakdowns. Cases continued to be reported during the last two years.

Ms Seethamma, the Chief Minister's host, also suffered from the disease which had affected her whole family. Her husband had died of cancer.

About 300 people have been affected by this mysterious disease-- 223 in Sagar taluk alone. Handigodu village comes under the limits of Malawa Grama Panchayat of Sagar taluk in Shimoga District.

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had conducted research on the disease but could not come out with an effective drug.

The affected were running a Co-operative handloom unit till a few years ago. However, it closed down due to financial constraints.

NI XR RS/VK JJ DKA RS1118