Angul: As many as 216 people died unnatural deaths caused by drowning, snakebite and lightning in Angul district in the last six years, official data shows.
According to information shared by the government, among the 216 unnatural death cases reported from 2015 to March 2021, drowning claimed most lives.
Out of 216 unnatural deaths, as many as 97 deaths are related to drowning. At the same time, 91 people died from snakebite.
According to district headquarters hospital authorities, people often die from snakebite because their relatives lose precious moments by taking the victims to traditional healers. There were incidents seen in past where the relatives of snakebite victims engaged witch doctors even at hospitals to cure the patients.
“Since the snakebite victims are brought to hospitals at the eleventh hour, despite the best efforts, the doctors cannot save most lives,” a doctor said.
Meanwhile, lightning has claimed as many as 21 lives in past six years in the district.
Even though the next of kin of such deceased persons are entitled to receive an assistance of Rs 4 lakh as per Odisha Relief Code announced by the state government April 8, 2015, most of them can’t avail the benefit owing to various reasons.
In order to receive the benefit, family members have to apply online with postmortem report, identity cards of deceased person and reports of local RIs and tehsildars. But due to lack of awareness of these procedures, many fall victim to middlemen, ending up with receiving less than the announced amount.
The district emergency office sources said the family members of the deceased persons often make some mistakes while furnishing details and because of this they are facing issues in getting the assistance money.
“We have been creating awareness among people on how to save their lives from natural disasters. But people barely follow them. While applying for the compensation, some take help of middlemen and some others do it by themselves but not properly. So disbursement of compensation money gets delayed,” said emergency officer Baitura Deep.
In this regard, advocate Nagen Nanda from Chhendipada said that the government should intensify the awareness drive. The government should think of a way to raise awareness among the public.
Echoing the same, Ghanashyam Behera, an advocate from Boinda area said, “People are getting less cooperation from the government officers and staff. It forces them to seek help from middlemen.”
Several others pointed out that most of these people belong to rural areas and are not acquainted with the procedures of applying online. That is why they go to middlemen seeking help. The government officers and staff should help them in receiving the compensation, they suggested.
PNN
