In showpiece rural Bengal, ‘hunger deaths’ have CPM eating its words

On the deaths, however, he declined to comment: ‘‘Deaths are always bad in any circumstances and starvation deaths are worse, but I would rather concentrate on ways for a quick remedy of the situation.’’

Incidentally, last year, when reports of hunger and malnutrition deaths came from North Bengal, the government had cited death certificates to argue that none of these had mentioned starvation.

But today the Chief Minister asked his officials to investigate the ‘‘real status of deaths’’ and work out a compensation package for the families of the victims. Said state CPM Secretary Anil Biswas: ‘‘Special efforts should be taken on war-footing to change the situation there.’’

Minister of state for Western Area Development (WAD) Maheswar Murmu has been asked to visit Amlasol. Speaking earlier in the day, Murmu said that part of the Rs 18 crore sanctioned for development in the area had not yet been spent.

When asked about this, the Chief Minister said it was not unusual for a sanctioned amount to be held over because of certain procedure but added that the entire amount would be spent.

Earlier, CPM member of the local gram panchayat, Kailash Mura, backtracked from his statement on the deaths. ‘‘No death, directly caused by starvation, has taken place…My only intention was to bring to the administration’s notice the lack of development in the area where people had use drinking water from ponds.’’

District Magistrate Chandan Sinha who paid a second visit to the village today accompanied by the block medical officer said he had no knowledge of any starvation deaths.

Meanwhile, both the Congress and the Trinamool have attacked the state government on the issues. A Congress delegation, consisting of district president Nirmal Ghose and three MLAs, toured the area and alleged that the CPM had shown ‘‘criminal neglect’’ because of which ‘‘all amenities have virtually ceased to exist.’’ It has demanded a judicial inquiry. — (with agencies)