Rahul Gandhi reaches Balaghat to meet families of children who died of suspected infections

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday reached Madhya Pradesh's tribal-dominated Balaghat district to meet the families of more than 30 children who have died of suspected infectious diseases and other causes in recent months.

"Rahul ji travelled by road to Balaghat from Gondia in neighbouring Maharashtra, where he had arrived by plane," MP Congress media coordinator Abhinav Barolia told PTI over the phone.

The Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition reached Jagla village in Baihar tehsil to meet the kin of the deceased children, Barolia said.

He claimed that no politician, including Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, had visited the village since the deaths were reported.

More than 30 tribal children, primarily from the Baiga community, have died in Birsa block, around 85 km from the Balaghat district headquarters, in the last few months due to different causes, including suspected infectious diseases.

Gandhi's visit comes amid concerns over the deaths of children in the tribal-dominated area.

On September 13, Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke had also visited the families of the deceased children.

During that visit, Dipke was heckled by a group of people who appeared to be social media influencers, according to viral videos.