As the number of Sahariya tribal children claimed by malnutrition over the past three weeks in adivasi forest hamlets of this district in northern Madhya Pradesh’s Chambal Division rose from 12 to 18, official sources “acknowledged” the cause of death and said on 6th July that district administration functionaries, hospital staff and Women and Child Development Department employees were dispatched to the faraway villages but are facing “considerable difficulties” in reaching their destinations owing to downpours and rivers being in spate.

Until 5th July, departmental officials were accepting only five fatalities owing to “diseases.” Reports said that numerous minors are suffering undernourishment in Peepalwadi, Shivlal Pura, Kandar Kheda, Kharkha and Agra villages under Vijaypur and Karahal tehsils. Those who succumbed were residents of Golipura, Salmanya, Kerka, Bhojka, Kalmi, Agra, Baroda Kalan, etc spread over Karahal, Vijaypur and Beerpur tehsils.

Approximately three years back, this very district had the dubious distinction of making national headlines for the demise of more than 50 little ones as a direct consequence of undernutrition.