New Delhi, Oct 14: A delegation of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders led by Araku MP Dr. Tanuja Rani met the National ST Commission Chairman, Antar Singh Arya, in New Delhi on Monday and submitted a representation demanding strict action against those responsible for the deaths of two tribal schoolgirls in the Kurupam Gurukulam tragedy. The delegation held the Andhra Pradesh Government fully responsible for the incident, alleging that government negligence and lack of basic amenities led to the outbreak of Hepatitis-A infection among students.
After meeting the ST Commission Chairman, the YSRCP delegation said that the Commission responded positively to their appeal. They requested the Chairman to initiate a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the tragedy and ensure justice to the victims. The delegation demanded that the state government pay 25 lakh compensation each to the families of the deceased girls and immediately improve sanitation, provide safe drinking water, and upgrade facilities in all tribal residential schools across Andhra Pradesh.
The delegation included former Deputy Chief Ministers Pamula Pushpa Srivani and Peedika Rajanna Dora, Araku MLA Rega Muthyalalingam, former MLA K. Bhagyalakshmi, Parvathipuram Manyam District YSRCP President Shatrucharla Parikshit Raju, former MP G. Madhavi, Visakhapatnam ZP Chairperson Jalli Subhadra, and former ZP Chairperson Dr. Shobha Swathi Rani.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, MP Dr. Tanuja Rani said the death of two tribal girl students and illness of over 170 others at the same school clearly reflected the government’s neglect. “Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu did not even bother to review the situation or visit the victims. Instead of accepting their failure, they blamed the students’ personal hygiene. This is extremely painful and shameful,” she said, demanding that the state immediately pay 25 lakh each to the families of the deceased girls.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Pamula Pushpa Srivani said the incident exposed the miserable state of tribal welfare schools in Andhra Pradesh. “For nearly one and a half years, tribal Gurukul schools have been running without proper sanitation and safe drinking water. Even RO plants in hostels are not functioning. The government’s negligence has directly led to this tragedy,” she said. Srivani called it a government-made disaster and accused the ruling coalition of showing complete disregard for tribal welfare.
She further revealed that even after the issue was exposed by YSRCP leaders, the government tried to hide its failures. “We raised the sanitation workers’ salary issue on October 5, and only after our protest did the government pay them on October 7. This proves that without pressure, they do nothing for the tribals,” she added. Srivani also announced that the YSR Congress Party, under the leadership of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, will provide 5 lakh financial assistance to each of the deceased girls’ families.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Peedika Rajanna Dora said the deaths of the two students were entirely due to the government’s negligence and inaction. “The state government and the Tribal Welfare Department have failed miserably. It is shocking that instead of taking responsibility, ministers are blaming the children themselves. This is inhuman,” he said. Rajanna Dora added that the delegation urged the ST Commission to take strict action against the officials responsible and ensure a fair probe.
The YSRCP delegation also appealed to the Commission to direct the Andhra Pradesh Government to ensure safe drinking water, sanitation, and infrastructure in all tribal welfare schools to prevent such tragedies in the future. The Commission reportedly assured them that an inquiry would be ordered and appropriate action would be taken against those found responsible.
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