Agartala, March 15: The Tripura government has initiated special measures to prevent the outbreak of enteric diseases in the hilly areas of Khowai subdivision following reports of three deaths.

Purified potable water and medicines are being distributed among the tribals in the remote areas to prevent the spread of the disease.

?This is needed because a protracted dry spell has led to depletion of all sources of underground water in the hilly areas and tribal people have started consuming contaminated water,? Dasharath Debbarma, the block development officer of Mungiakami block, said. ?Ring wells and hilly springs ? the traditional sources of water ? have all dried up in the remote areas because of the current dry spell and outbreak of enteric diseases is a distinct possibility unless water supply for the people is ensured.?

Debbarma said they have received reports about severe scarcity of drinking water from all the six blocks of Khowai subdivision. ?In fact, three deaths from enteric diseases have already been reported from Tulasikhar and Gournagar blocks. So we decided to launch this programme of supplying purified water to the people.?

Health department sources said Chhawmanu, Kanchanpur and Dumburnagar blocks, which used to be affected by enteric diseases every year during the dry season, are safe so far.

?The autonomous district council is taking care of water supply in those areas and there has been no report of any death from enteric disease there this year,? a source said.

The health department has been holding special camps and distributing free medicines to prevent the outbreak of enteric diseases this year, he added.

TWC chief in denial

Chairperson of Tripura Commission for Women Champa Dasgupta today denied that she had said incidents of rape were not a problem in tribal society. A local daily had ?misquoted? her, Dasgupta said.

A national daily quoting Laxmi Nag, president of Tripura Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee, had said on Monday that the committee would launch a movement against Dasgupta for her reported comments.