Rights body holds Assam responsible for Vit deaths

SAMUDRA GUPTA KASHYAP

GUWAHATI, JANUARY 18: Even as the Assam government and UNICEF continue to assert that the death of 23 children in November was not due to Vitamin A, the Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on Thursday held the state Health Department responsible for the deaths.

The Commission, apart from directing the state government to pay a compensation of Rs 5,000 each to the families of the victims, has also recommended a thorough probe by the CBI into the matter.

AHRC chairman Justice R.K. Manisana Singh and member Abdul Majid, in an order issued here, said that they had found prima facie evidence that linked the deaths to the Vitamin A dose administered to children below 5 years.

The deaths were caused due to lapses on the part of implementing agencies and government functionaries, the Commission said. The AHRC described the deaths as a violation of rights of the child and suggested these measures: examination of samples and proper training to personnel.