NHRC Urged to Investigate Deadly Hepatitis-A Outbreak Among Tribal Students in Andhra Pradesh

YSR Congress Party representatives have approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) requesting a thorough investigation into the Hepatitis-A outbreak that has affected tribal students in Andhra Pradesh's Manyam district, resulting in two fatalities.

The delegation, headed by Araku MP Dr. Thanuja Rani, met with NHRC chairperson Justice V Ramasubramanian on Monday to discuss the deaths at Kurupam Gurukul School. Justice Ramasubramanian provided assurance that an inquiry would be initiated into the matter.

Dr. Rani highlighted that contaminated drinking water in tribal residential facilities has infected more than 170 students, with two succumbing to the disease, demonstrating the state government's failure to maintain proper hygiene standards and safeguard children's health. "This devastating outbreak is a direct consequence of governmental negligence and administrative failures in providing safe drinking water and hygienic conditions. We have requested the NHRC to mandate immediate water chlorination across all residential educational institutions," she informed PTI.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Pushpasrivani described the deaths of students Anjali and Kalpana as "state-sponsored murders," noting that the students were not provided timely medical attention despite exhibiting severe symptoms. She called for compensation of Rs 25 lakh for each deceased student's family and immediate health screenings for all students in Gurukul and Ekalavya schools.

Pushpasrivani also criticized Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and Minister Nara Lokesh for their apparent indifference to the situation. "Lokesh found time to attend a cricket match in Vizag but couldn't visit tribal children fighting for their lives," she remarked.

The delegation accused the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government of severe negligence and urged the NHRC to ensure accountability for this humanitarian crisis.

The YSRCP delegation included MP Gurumoorthy, MLA Raga Matsyalingam, former deputy chief ministers Rajanna Dora, former MLAs Bhagyalakshmi and Madhavi, Visakhapatnam Zila Parishad Chairperson Subhadra, Ichchapuram Municipal Vice-Chairperson Ulala Bharati Divya, and Manyam District YSRCP President Parikshit Raju.