The Uttar Pradesh government has failed to share with the Ministry of Home Affairs the number of children who died at relief camps for victims of the Muzaffarnagar communal riots.
“We have sent four letters [to the State government], beginning December 8… The latest one was sent today [on Monday]. However, the State government has ignored all our queries,” said a senior official of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Ministry has also asked the State government to explain the steps taken and facilities being created to prevent the death of children and others due to the harsh winter. The letters were sent following media reports that over 40 children had died because of cold wave conditions and lack of relief materials and medical facilities in the camps in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts. NGOs that have been giving aid to the displaced people have also highlighted the plight of children in the camps.
Even a high-level committee constituted by the State government to look into the matter found that at least 34 children aged below 12 had died between September 7 and December 20.
