On hunger strike against BPL irregularities, woman dies

Protests against bungling in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) list reached a turning point on Monday after a woman sitting on an indefinite hunger strike against the irregularities died here. According to locals, 50-year-old Anar Devi of Patori Panchayat was on an indefinite strike since March 14.

Earlier, local villagers had locked the block office in Saharsa district in protest against the irregularities. A large crowd gathered outside the block office and raised slogans against the local administration following the death of Anar Devi.

However, Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) Gajanand Mishra denied that Anar Devi died due to hunger. “Claims that she died of hunger is wrong as food particles were found in her stomach during the post mortem,” Mishra told The Indian

Express. Asked about the

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alleged bungling, Mishra said they have received complaints from across the district. “And process of

eliminating the undeserving persons is also on,” the

SDO said.

The District Magistrate could not be contacted despite repeated efforts.