Raids at pulses traders in Malkangiri

Suspecting that poisonous Cassia occidentalis seeds are being mixed with pulses, the Malkangiri district administration has initiated action to check it.

These plants are found abundantly in this tribal-dominated district where more than a hundred children have died due to Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).

The expert team constituted by the government in its interim report claimed that consumption of beans of Cassia occidentalis, locally known as ‘bada chakunda’, has caused the deaths apart from JE infection.

Anthraquinone, a toxin found in Cassia occidentalis, was causing encephalopathy and deaths among the children.

Two types of cassia plants are found in the district. Along with Cassia occidentalis, Cassia tora plants, called ‘chakunda’ or ‘sana chakunda’, are also found abundantly. Ignorant tribals collect beans of both these plants and harvest their seeds.

Adulteration

It is alleged that traders collect seeds of ‘sana chakunda’, which are small in size, from the tribals and mix them with moong or toor dal. Seeds of ‘bada chakunda’, which are larger in size, are used to adulterate arhar dal.

The Civil Supplies department officials and administration led by the Malkangiri Sub-Collector have started raiding traders dealing in pulses at different rural haats as well as in the market of Malkangiri town.

Samples have been sent for tests to check adulteration.

Malkangiri District Collector K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy said administration was waiting for the final report to plan action against the consumption of beans.

Meanwhile awareness drive has been started in the district to dissuade tribals from consuming cassia seeds.