A severe diarrhoea outbreak has struck the remote forest village of Salheghori, predominantly inhabited by Baiga tribals referred to as the ‘adopted sons’ of the President. Almost every household has one or more members suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea. Over 20 villagers are undergoing treatment at the district hospital and community health centre, while a Baiga tribal and another tribal youth have lost their lives. According to sources, local residents have been forced to consume contaminated water for the past several days.

 

The tap connections and infrastructure installed under the Jal Jeevan Mission have become mere showpieces. With no functional facility for safe drinking water or toilets, villagers continue to depend on natural streams, accelerating the spread of the disease in Chhindpani and neighbouring hamlets. Salheghori has 43 houses, 42 belonging to Baiga families and one to a Yadav family—with a population of around 200. Raju Baiga (40) died two days after returning home from three days of treatment. In another incident, four friends from Gummatola village, returning from a temple visit, drank water in Chhindpani and fell ill. One of them, Rai Singh Gond (32), died, while two others are still under treatment at the district hospital. The list of patients undergoing treatment is long.

 

Those admitted to the district hospital include Beersingh Baiga (60), Pyare Lal Baiga (50), Shyam Bai (40), Sita, Ved Singh, Rudra Prasad Manjhi, among others. Patients at the tehsil hospital include Heera Lal (50), Dashrath (21), Nohar (47), Shyam Kali (42), Phool Bai (45), Chaitram (50), Ram Bhagat (35), Sohan (60), Sunita (22), Sanjay, Bhagat Ram (24), Chaknu Ram (50), Sumel (30), Sukru Vati (22), Priyanka (14), Mahantu Baiga, Dindayal Baiga and Shivmurti Yadav (55). Some patients, including Budh Singh, Leelavati, and Ishwar Kumar (25), have recovered and returned home. Salheghori Sarpanch Dhansingh Baiga said waterborne disease has gripped the village, with 18–20 people from Chhindpani already admitted to hospital. Conditions are reported to be serious in homes around Chhindpani. Rudra Manjhi from Gummatola said that after returning from temple worship, they had biscuits and water in Chhindpani, following which their health deteriorated.

 

His friend Rai Singh Gond died of diarrhoea caused by drinking the same water. Collector Leena Kamlesh Mandavi said that a health department team is stationed in the village to ensure treatment for Baiga residents. Water tankers are being sent to supply safe drinking water, and villagers have been advised to boil water before consumption. Health Minister and Minister in charge of the district Shyam Bihari Jaiswal said the Health Department is keeping a close watch on the situation. He announced Rs 25,000 as immediate assistance to each bereaved family of the two deceased.