Two die of suspected food poisoning

The Pioneer, 4th April, 2008

In a freaky incident, two women labourers of Salpanga village of Yugasayepatna Gram Panchayat in Kalahandi district died and three were admitted to hospital on Wednesday after they consumed rice and water. The two deceased died on the spot whereas the other three including two minors were rushed to the Lanjigarh hospital, where they were still undergoing treatment.
Sources said five women daily wagers were engaged in the field by wife of Kainru Harijan of Salpanga village. Kainru's wife had given them some rice and salt for preparation of their lunch.
One woman worker had cooked the rice under a tree near the working field and joined them at work keeping the cooked rice there with a silver plate over the dish. After finishing the work all the women workers gathered and ate cooked rice with salt. Later, they drank water from a nearby water body. Sources further said on their way back to the field to resume the second half of the day's work they suddenly fell ill.
Alani Dei (18), daughter of Nari Majhi and Pogadi Dei (27), wife of Ram Singh Majhi of Khajuriguda village died on the spot. Linjo Dei (15), daughter of Dambaru Majhi, Sanja Dei (16), daughter of Sana Majhi and Banaga Dei (18), daughter of Lengu Majhi were rushed to the hospital. Although it is yet to ascertain the reason behind the sudden sickness, Bhawanipatna BDO Purandar Pujari confirmed that the locals for both drinking and bathing purposes used the concerned water body.The cooked rice might have become poisonous and after eating it the workers died, maintained Pujari. The locals, however, demanded Government's aid for the deceased's families.