Minor girl dies of hunger

Nalita, who was to look after the house, was begging in nearby villages. But few could give alms in this famine. She was starving and became sick and bedridden. Her uncle Prem Gual (400, also a beggar, could not share food with her.

Neighbours rushed Nalita to Dabha hospital on Friday, but there was no doctor there. Later, Dr Akshya Kumar Pradhan, a private practitioner, who examined her, said her critical condition was due to starvation. He asked the villagers to give some food immediately and shift her to Khariar Road hospital. But the girl died even as the villagers were arranging vehicle to shift her.

The villagers conducted her last rites at Rajendrapur. The parents and brothers of Nalita were yet to learn about the bereavement. The villagers have sent two persons — Shriram Sahu and Tikelal Sabar — to Ayodhya with the message. Ashok Sahu has reported the starvation death to Jharband BDO and police station.

Maharani Suna (60), who was the only surviving member of her family, died on December 27 after going without food and bedridden for six days. She had not been getting old-age pension, BPL rice and other government aid.