The Congress on Saturday took out a massive padayatra at Sipijodi village in Rayagada district in protest against the deaths allegedly due to consumption of gruel made of mango kernel.
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Bhakta Charan Das, former lok Sabha member Pradip Majhi and MlA Krushna Chandra Sagaria led the rally and targeted the Naveen Patnaik Government for the tribals’ death.
“The people of Rayagada are still forced to eat mango kernel for their survival because they do not get rice and other food grains from the public distribution system. It is very unfortunate,” said Bhakta Das.
The Congress leaders demanded that the district and State administration rise to the occasion and provide food to people.
“A month has passed since the deaths came to light. But nothing tangible has happened to improve the conditions of people,” alleged Pradip Majhi.
“We urge the Government to take proactive steps; otherwise, we will be forced to intensify our agitation,” added Majhi..
Notably, two persons, identified as Ranjan Majhi and Shiva Majhi, died and six fell severely ill at Sipijodi in Kashipur block allegedly after consuming the gruel made of mango kernel.
The allegation of death due to consumption of mango kernel has surfaced in Rayagada district after 15 years. In 2001, 20 persons had died at Panasguda and Bilamal villages in Kashipur block due to consumption of mango kernel.