Following a Maoist’s diktat to stop ferrying services in Balimela reservoir in Malkangiri, the lone communication link for people in cut-off areas to come to the mainland, an Ambulance launch taking a 17-member Government medical team finally reached the cut-off area to take stock of the health condition of the residents.
The team consisted of doctors, pharmacists and other staff reached Joda Amba, Alampaka, Podapadar, Panaspur and a few other villages of the area.
Meanwhile, another motor boat taking 24 people from the cut-off area arrived at the Chitrakonda ghat on Wednesday defying the Maoists’ threat when the health condition of a few people in the cut-off area started deteriorating fast. As they were running out of food items and other materials, said a villager.
On Saturday also, a motor boat taking 18 people reached Chitrakonda when three patients, including two children and a pregnant woman, from Khajiriguda in the cut-off area fell ill. The cut-off area people had showed courage four days after boats provided by the Irrigation department stopped operating in the area.
According to a local, the villagers were facing problems due to sudden stoppage of launch service in the area.
The villagers failed to get kerosene, salt and daily ration in the area, he said, adding that many pregnant women were facing health complicacy due to lack of medical facilities in their villages. During the last Monsoon Session, the issue was raised by leader of Opposition in Assembly Bhupinder Singh to draw the attention of the Government to the plight of the villagers.