Patrapur: In an unfortunate incident, two tribals died while four others were left battling for life after they had food and alcohol at a feast arranged in the village on the New Year eve celebration Thursday night.
The deceased were identified as Dhanu Behera and Siba Behera. The incident was reported from tribal-dominated Karadabada village under Patrapur block in Ganjam district.
According to sources, the tribals begin celebration of New Year three days in advance. They fast and offer prayers to a deity in the village. Every family prepares food and alcohol which is offered to the deity and then a feast is arranged where people are served food and alcohol.
As per rituals, 20 senior persons of the village were served food and alcohol. No sooner they consumed it, then they experienced vomiting. Almost all complained diarrhoea and stomach-ache.
Before locals could admit them to hospital, Dhanu died in the village. The remaining persons were then rushed to Patrapur community health centre. However, Siba breathed his last after reaching the hospital.
The condition of four persons including Harischandra Behera, Tanguru Behera, Gurubaru Behera and Danda Behera remained critical. After preliminary treatment, Harischandra and Tanguru were shifted to Berhampur-based MKCG Medical College and Hospital for further treatment, sources said.
The incident spread a cloud of fear among tribals as they refrained from the celebrations and remained indoors. “Our deity is angry. The dead persons had consumed alcohol prepared for the deity. So, it claimed their lives,” the trials believed.
On the other hand, medical officials suspected that the deaths had been caused due to food poisoning. However, no exact reason was ascertained yet. “Investigation is on. Everything will be revealed once the post-mortem report arrives,” Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Saroj Kumar Mishra said.
Jarada IIC Bhawani Shankar Khuntia along with excise sub-inspector Roshan Isu Hasda, Susant Kumar Padhi, Dhiren Kumar Behera, Padip Kumar Patnaik, HRPC cell DSP KP Das and a scientific team reached the village and launched a probe Friday morning.
The team seized the cooked food and alcohol and sent it for examination. The bodies were seized and sent for post-mortem while a further probe was launched. PNN