Tribal students’ deaths expose govt negligence

Visakhapatnam, October 5: YSRCP leaders slammed the coalition government for the alarming health crisis in tribal residential schools of Parvathipuram district. Visiting students undergoing treatment at KGH, former Deputy CM Pushpa Srivani, Araku MP Dr. Tanuja Rani, ex-MLA Rajanna Dora, and ZP Chairman Mazji Chinna Srinu held the government fully responsible.

Two tribal girl students, Anjali and Kalpana, have died of jaundice, while over 120 others are hospitalized. Leaders said contaminated water, collapsed sanitation, and defunct RO plants are the root causes. They demanded Rs. 10 lakh compensation to each bereaved family.

Pushpa Srivani revealed that RO plants set up during the YSRCP government have not been maintained for months, forcing students to consume unsafe water. She criticised that the government of covering up hostel deaths by suspending local staff instead of owning responsibility. 

Even basic facilities like fans and mosquito nets are absent, and sanitation workers have gone unpaid for three months.
Araku MP Dr. Tanuja Rani said 129 students are now suffering from jaundice due to prolonged neglect. Despite repeated alerts, the government failed to supply safe water, proper food, or preventive medical camps. She condemned the Tribal Welfare Minister for visiting schools only after media pressure, while making contradictory statements to shield the administration.
The leaders said this tragedy reflects the collapse of tribal welfare in the past 15 months of coalition rule. They demanded urgent corrective measures to protect students’ lives and dignity.