Two women inmates die mysteriously

Even as the CBI probe into the horrors of the girls shelter home in Muzaffarpur has just begun, the death of two inmates of a shelter home in Patna has created sensation and once again highlighted the mysterious functioning of such Government aided homes under the social welfare department.

The two women inmates of Asra Grih, mentally retarded, were reportedly taken to Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) on Saturday night in critical condition but it is alleged the doctors on duty refused to attend to them. PMCH Superintendent Dr Rajiv Ranjan said, “Both of them were brought dead.” One of them was aged 17 years and the other 40. Asra treasurer Manisha Dayal said they were suffering from diarrhoea and were rushed to the hospital alive.

Officials, including Patna DM Kumar Ravi and SSP Manu Maharaaj, rushed to the PMCH to take stock of the situation. Ravi said, “Prima facie they seemed to have died due to disease. But it is a serious matter and cause of death could be known from the post- mortem report.” The SSP said action would be initiated on the basis of proof and the matter was under investigation.

This three months old shelter home, situated in Rajiv Nagar locality, came into news only two days back after reports that some of the inmates were trying to escape.

This is being run by an NGO, Anumya Human Resource Foundation.

It was reported that four inmates tried to escape by cutting the iron grills of the window of their room on Thursday night but their attempt was frustrated by the staff.

The police arrested a middle aged man living in its neighbourhood and also detained shelter home’s secretary and three counselors. The man had provided a saw to cut the iron rods.

During the initial investigation there had been reports that something wrong was going on there and outsiders were also visiting the shelter home during night time.

Only a month back three inmates had escaped from Asra by cutting the grill but two were caught by the local people and were handed back to the shelter home and one was held by police from Patna junction.

Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who is lashing out at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the Muzaffarpur episode and demanding his resignation, tweeted on the death of

two inmates that shameful incidents were happening in shelter homes and Nitish Kumar was busy only for seat sharing.