Starvation death rocks Odisha Assembly

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly on Monday witnessed pandemonium over the alleged starvation death of a man in Kalahandi district.

The opposition Congress and BJP demanded a statement from the state government over the issue.

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said a mentally challenged person identified as Rankanidhi Khura (39) had died of starvation on March 25 at Balichhara village under Junagarh block of Kalahandi district.

Quoting media reports, Mishra said Rankanidhi’s mother Chandrabati Khura and his mentally challenged elder brother Dayanidhi Khura were also suffering starvation.

Mishra urged Speaker Niranjan Pujari to give a ruling to the state Revenue minister to make a statement in the House on the issue.

The opposition Congress and BJP members rushed to the Well of the House as the Speaker did not give any ruling.

BJP legislature party leader K V Singhdeo demanded a clarification from the state government on the alleged starvation death.