The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that at least nine children, aged between three to five years, died in three days in village Kaliachak, District Malda, West Bengal from a disease showing symptoms of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome, loosely described as Litchi Syndrome. The affected children were reported to be mostly from around a Litchi plantation.
The report carried on the June 9 also quoted some experts saying that colouring agents and insecticides used on Litchi crop were the cause behind the disease. The disease does not allow much time to the doctors to treat the affected child.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the children.
It has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal calling for a report within four weeks. He has also been asked to inform whether similar cases have been reported from other parts of the state.
