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Marikamba City, Karnataka – The tragic death of five-year-old Mayuri Suresh Kumbaleppanavar, an Anganwadi student, has sent shockwaves across Karnataka, shedding light on the perilous conditions at government-run childcare centers. The incident, which took place on January 1, has ignited widespread public outrage, with numerous calls for an immediate investigation into the unsafe infrastructure and healthcare facilities at the local Anganwadi center.
According to an exclusive report by South First, Mayuri was bitten by a snake while attending her Anganwadi in Marikamba City. Tragically, despite efforts to rush her to a nearby hospital, Mayuri succumbed to the venom, prompting a wave of demands for justice and accountability.
Local Leaders Highlight Critical Concerns
Several local leaders and activists have raised alarm over multiple issues they believe contributed to this heart-wrenching tragedy:
- Inadequate Toilet Facilities: Despite the presence of toilets at the Anganwadi, children were reportedly forced to use outdoor areas, placing them at risk of exposure to dangerous wildlife.
- Deficient Medical Infrastructure: The local government hospital was unable to provide timely care for Mayuri’s condition. She was eventually referred to KMC Hospital, but a delay in treatment has raised questions about the quality and readiness of healthcare services in the region.
- Lack of Safety Measures: The Anganwadi lacked a compound wall and was situated near fields, increasing the likelihood of dangerous encounters with wild animals and other hazards.
Activists have called for an in-depth investigation into the chain of events leading to Mayuri’s death, demanding that authorities address the systemic flaws that endangered her life.
Activists Demand Accountability
The incident has sparked outrage among organizations and activists in Mundgod Taluk. A petition, filed by the Janaspoorthi Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) Trust with the Tahsildar, has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mayuri’s death.
Concerns have also been raised about the negligence at the local government hospital. Activists have accused hospital staff of failing to provide immediate treatment, citing a two-hour delay and the refusal to administer basic first aid. Moreover, there are questions about whether the hospital had the necessary life-saving drugs and trained staff to treat snakebite victims.
Mahalakshmi Naik, of the Janaspoorthi Trust, emphasized: “We have requested an investigation into whether the hospital had the necessary life-saving medications and whether the staff were adequately trained to handle snakebite emergencies.”
Accountability for Anganwadi Supervisors
In addition to the issues with healthcare infrastructure, several organizations have held the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) and the Anganwadi supervisor accountable for the unsafe conditions. Activists contend that children were prohibited from using the Anganwadi’s toilet facilities, forcing them to relieve themselves in the nearby fields—where Mayuri was bitten. Immediate action has been demanded to rectify these unsafe practices.
Tanveer Mirjanakar, President of Taluka Yuva Vedike, Mundgod, raised concerns about the Anganwadi’s location and infrastructure, saying: “The lack of a compound wall and the proximity to fields exposed over 40 children to significant safety risks. The failure of the Bal Vikas Samiti (BVS) and Anganwadi supervisors to ensure the children’s safety is inexcusable.”
Longstanding Concerns Over Anganwadi Conditions
The tragic incident is not an isolated case. A memorandum submitted to the Minister of Women and Child Development in August 2024 highlighted the longstanding issues faced by Anganwadis in the region, including Uttar Kannada. The recommendations from a study conducted across five districts called for urgent improvements in facilities and safety measures at Anganwadi centers. Activists and concerned citizens are now urging the Karnataka government to implement these recommendations to prevent further tragedies.
The death of Mayuri has brought to the forefront the dire need for systemic reform in the state’s childcare infrastructure, with the public demanding justice and safer conditions for the children entrusted to these government facilities. The Karnataka government faces mounting pressure to act swiftly to address these longstanding issues and ensure that such a tragedy does not repeat itself.
