From our Correspondent

CHAMATA, July 17:  Japanese encephalitis has so far claimed 10 lives with many others succumbing to the disease recently.

The deceased persons have been identified as Simanta Lahkar (70), a resident of Purna Doichapra village of Baharghat area, Resmi Begum (8) of Jonakipur died at GMCH recently, Marjina Begum (18 months old) of Suradi village also lost her life in the dreaded disease, Damayanti Rajbangshi (50) of Tihu, Rumi Begum (6) of Mularkuchi, Ranjit Barman (10) of Dirua, Nur Mohammed (55) of Chamata, Ratani Baishya (65) of Bagurihati, Sonabar Ali (10) of Bhangnamari and Haripriya Talukdar (60) of Bagurihati.

On the other hand, five people are undergoing treatment in Gauhati Medical and hospitals and Nalbari Civil Hospital.

Although Japanese encephalitis has taken an epidemic form in the flood- affected areas in Nalbari district, it is alleged that the State Health Department has not taken any steps to combat the dreaded disease. The district Health Department informed that they have deployed five medical teams in the flood affected areas but these proved to be insufficient in the district.

Pankaj Barman, president of Nalbari AJYCP committee urged the concerned authority to provide sufficient medicines and doctors team to the affected areas.

Meanwhile, the Nalbari district unit of AASU also submitted two separate memorandums to the Deputy Commissioner and Joint Director, Health Services of Nalbari demanding immediate steps should be taken to combat the dreaded disease.