BJP seeks AP Governor's intervention on tribals' death

Hyderabad, Dec 1 (UNI) A delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party today urged Andhra Pradesh Governor N D Tiwari to direct the state government to discharge its ''constitutional responsibility of protecting tribals''.

The delegation led by party state unit President B Dattatraya called on the Governor and submitted a memorandum, complaining that the government had failed to come to the rescue of a large number of tribals, who succumbed to viral fever, in the mandals of Utnoor, Jainoor, Sirpur, Numoor and Indravelli in Adilabad district.

Over 14,000 people in 650 villages were affected by the fatal fever and over 400 people, mostly children, died in the last six months, a BJP fact-finding team led by Legislature party leader G Kishan Reddy was informed, Mr Dattatraya told the Governor.

He pressed for a high-level investigation to analyse the ''lapses'' during the last six months, resulting in the death of many innocent children and fix responsibility for negligence.

In the memorandum, a copy of which was released to the press here tonight, Mr Dattatraya lamented that condition of hospitals in the agency area was poor and people there lacked protected drinking water.

The party demanded an ex gratia of Rs three lakh to each of the bereaved family along with immediate upgradation of hospitals, recruitment of doctors and support staff in all hospitals and provision of adequate supply of hospital infrastructure including beds, medical equipment and medicines.

UNI