61 residents died of 'unknown' illness in Chhattisgarh village in couple of years, claim locals
authorities begin probe
Sukma (PTI): Residents of a remote village in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district have claimed that 61 people died there in nearly last three years due to some "unknown" illness, following which the authorities have swung into action to know what exactly caused these deaths.
The residents of Regadgatta village, located in Konta development block, recently raised this issue with the district authorities, who said that the preliminary investigation of records shows that 47 people died due to various reasons, including ailments and natural causes.
A detailed report to identify heavy metal content like arsenic in water and soil there is awaited, officials said, adding that on August 8, a team of specialists will be sent to the village for an in-depth study of environmental causes.
The population of the village is more than 1,000 with 130 families residing there.
On July 27, the villagers handed over a letter to Sukma district collector, claiming that 61 people, including young men and women, who had symptoms of swelling on their hands and legs, have died there since 2020.
The villagers requested the administration to send a team of doctors immediately to deal with the issue to prevent further deaths.
After locals raised the issue, a team of healthcare personnel and other experts were sent there last week, Sukma collector Harish S told PTI.
"Preliminary investigation suggests that 47 people died in that village in the last three years but all of them did not die due to the same reason as claimed by the locals," he added.
Some of the deceased had swelling on their bodies and it could be due to different reasons. Preliminary reports of samples of water sources concluded that fluoride level was more than the limit in two water sources while in some sources, iron content was in excess, he said.
"But as of now, we cannot say that the deaths were caused due to heavy metal content in water as consumption of water carrying high fluoride causes bone weakness and there are no such symptoms in the local population," he said.
Even high iron content causes complications but sudden deaths cannot happen due to it. There could be other environmental causes. Chronic alcoholic behaviour among the population could also be also a possibility (for kidney related ailments), he added.
A detailed report to identify heavy metal content like arsenic in water and soil there is awaited, he said.
The collector said the team of health officials, which visited the village after the matter came to light, had conducted medical examinations on villagers during which 41 people were identified as having swelling in their body and suffering from kidney-related issues.
The examination revealed uric acid and creatinine level were elevated as compared to normal parameters on them. They are being provided treatment and their condition was stable, he said.
Of them, two highly anaemic patients were admitted to Sukma district hospital, he said. On August 8, a team of specialists will be sent to the village for further study of environmental causes, he added.
District's Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Yashwant Dhruv said preliminary investigation shows 15 deaths took place in the village this year due to multiple reasons, including renal diseases, old-age related problems and malaria.
How many of them died due to renal diseases cannot be confirmed as of now, he said.
Out of 20 water sources examined, fluoride content was found to be high in two hand pumps following which it was shut for use while villagers have advised not use eight water sources for drinking purpose as iron content in it was excess then limit, he said.
Some of the villagers have mild symptoms of chronic renal disease and further tests are underway, he added.
An ANM (auxiliary nurse midwife) was recently appointed at a sub health centre there, he said.
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KMES Institutions shine in SSLC result, continue four-decade legacy of education in rural Karkala
Karkala: KMES Institutions of Education at Kukkundooru in Karkala taluk has recorded outstanding results in the 2025-26 SSLC and PUC examinations, continuing a four-decade educational journey that began with just 22 kindergarten students and no building of its own.
The institution secured a 100 per cent result in the SSLC examinations, with all 43 students passing the examination this year.
Muhammad Arman Shahid emerged as the school topper by scoring 619 marks out of 625, securing 99 per cent and also ranking sixth at the state level. He scored full marks in Kannada, Hindi, Mathematics and Social Science.
Krithika V. Nayak secured the second position in the school with 607 marks and 97.12 per cent, while Arhan stood third with 605 marks and 96.8 per cent.
Out of the 43 students, 21 passed with distinction, 19 secured first class, two students obtained second class and one student passed in third class. Fourteen students scored above 90 per cent.
The institution also performed strongly in the PUC examinations. The Science stream recorded a 100 per cent result, with all 44 students passing, while Commerce secured a 98 per cent pass percentage.
Twelve students scored full marks in different subjects, including Mathematics.
In Commerce, Deeksha Acharya topped the college with 588 marks, while Harshitha H. Kini secured the second position with 581 marks.
In Science, Naveen B. Nayak emerged as topper with 586 marks, followed closely by Sameeksha Moily and Aifa Nidha, who both secured 585 marks.
Speaking about the achievement, High School head teacher Shrimati Patkar said the institution has always focused on supporting academically weak students through affordable education and free special classes.
“Our ambition is to provide quality education even to students who struggle in studies. The fees are very low, and free coaching classes are conducted. I have worked here for 28 years and have always found the atmosphere supportive of education,” she said.
Primary School head teacher Lolita Zeena D’Silva appreciated the dedication of the teaching staff and said the school encourages students not only to achieve high marks but also to become role models.
PU College Principal Balakrishna Rao said the institution focuses on value-based education and overall personality development.
“The aim is to help students succeed not only academically but also in cultural activities, sports and leadership. We encourage qualities such as patience, tolerance and discipline,” he said.
Rao also credited the institution’s growth to the support of founders K.S. Mohammed Masood and K.S. Nissar Ahmed, along with President K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed.
Speaking on the occasion, Imtiaz Ahmed said the institution was built on the dream of making quality education accessible to financially backward families in rural areas.
He said the guidance and encouragement of his elder brothers, Mohammed Masood and Nissar Ahmed, along with the contribution of teachers, students and parents, helped transform the institution into a model educational centre.
The KMES Institutions trace their roots back to 1984, when they were founded by senior social activists Haji P.M. Khan, K.S. Nazeer Ahmed and Haji A.S. Rashid Haider.
The institution initially functioned from the Government Urdu School premises as it did not have a building of its own. Classes began with only 22 students in lower kindergarten and two teachers.
Later, under the leadership of K.S. Mohammed Masood and with continuous financial and moral support from non-resident businessman K.S. Nissar Ahmed, the institution gradually expanded.
In 1993, the school shifted to its own building and began conducting classes from LKG to Class 5.
As student admissions increased, Nissar Ahmed personally funded the construction of three additional classrooms to address infrastructure shortages.
The institution’s new school building was completed in 1997, while the PU College building was constructed in 2001.
From humble beginnings in a borrowed building to producing state-level rank holders and consistent academic results, the KMES Institutions have grown into one of the prominent educational centres in the Karkala region.
