Patna, Aug. 21: Urmila Devi, a resident of Banda village in Rohtas district, is livid over the death of her baby, soon after she was born at a government relief camp at Chenari last week. She blamed both the district administrative officials as well as the Maoists for the death of her child.

“I gave birth to a baby at the relief camp on August 16. She died soon after her birth because of lack of medical facility at the camp. Neither was there any doctor, nor was there any paramedical staff to look after the newborn,” she said.

Urmila, wife of Wakil Kharwar, is staying at the Chenari guest house camp since August 2. She left her home along with hundreds of tribals of Kharbar community apprehending Maoist attack. Her husband and other relatives are also staying with her.

“If I had been at my house, I would not have lost my baby,” she said, adding that she was not feeling well ever since she left her home. “I had to cover a distance of about eight to 10km to reach the camp and that too on foot. Moreover, the camp lacked adequate medical facility to deal with such cases,” she added.

Kameshwar Singh, a resident of Bhadakuda and teacher in a school, is shocked over the mismanagement at the camp.

“There is resentment among those staying in the camp about the lack of drinking water and sanitation facilities. Lack of toilets and medicare has added to the woes of the inhabitants of the camp,” he said.

Sources said Rohtas district magistrate Anupam Kumar reviewed the arrangements at the camp after he reassumed duty on August 19. “Four hand pumps have been sunk on the premises to provide drinking water facility to the inhabitants of the camp at Chenari,” an officer said.

Rohtas civil surgeon Shivanand Sinha said mosquito nets have been provided to the people after some of them complained of high fever. “Three inhabitants were found to be suffering from malaria. Their condition is improving,” he told The Telegraph over phone.

He said a team of doctors have been deputed at the camp for regular health check up of the inhabitants. “Water had accumulated on the campus following incessant rain. However, things are improving now,” the civil surgeon claimed.

Threat complaint

A formal complaint was lodged with Dehri police station in Rohtas district on Sunday in connection with alleged threat to an RTI activist Ashok Paswan.

“I have lodged a written complaint in connection with the threat to my life. Earlier, I had informed the Rohtas superintendent of police (SP) and the station house officer of Dehri police station through a text message,” Paswan said.

He said he had spoken to the SP over the phone after reaching Dehri-on-Sone on Saturday. “He (the SP) had asked me to lodge a written complaint in this regard,” he said, adding that it was now up to the police to identify the culprit and initiate action.

Rohtas SP Manu Maharaj could not be contacted for a comment as he was away on a special drive against the rebels.