An investigative team, consisting of three members appointed by the Kawardha Collector, has completed their inquiry into the deaths of Baiga tribals in Sonwahi village. Contrary to initial beliefs, the team has determined that the fatalities were not due to diarrhoea but rather other factors, as revealed during their site visit and interviews with villagers and families of the deceased.
The team’s investigation uncovered various causes of death among the Baiga tribals in Sonwahi village. For instance, Fulbai’s husband disclosed that she and their son had fallen ill after consuming wild mushrooms, which tragically led to her passing. In another case, Suresh Dhurve succumbed to stomach pain after declining medical assistance at a government hospital, despite recommendations from a local health worker. Laleshwari, on the other hand, passed away due to complications following childbirth in her maternal home in Lalghat, Madhya Pradesh.
The team is still awaiting the results of the post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death for Sonsingh, another individual who has passed away. Meanwhile, the Public Health Engineering Department has taken proactive measures by installing pumps in new bore wells and connecting pipelines to ensure water supply to households in the village.
Furthermore, health camps have been established in Sonwahi village, where health workers are conducting rapid fever surveys, providing medical examinations and treatments, and educating residents on proper hygiene practices. As a result of these efforts, the current situation in Sonwahi village is reportedly stable and under control.