Lucknow, Dec 13 (IANS): Taking note of media reports of infant deaths in the Muzaffarnagar relief camps, the Uttar Pradesh government Friday constituted a high-level committee to look into ground realities and apprise it of the prevailing situation.

Home Secretary Kamal Saxena said the committee would be headed by Meerut Divisional Commissioner Manjit Singh and will have district magistrates and chief medical officers of Shamli and Muzaffarnagar as members.

This committee, he added, would begin work with immediate effect. It was set up in compliance with the instructions of the Supreme Court.

The committee has been asked to submit a report to the government Dec 18. Among other issues, the charter of the committee includes knowing the number of relief camps being run, the number of people living in them and the facts behind media reports of infant deaths.

The officials would also assess the preparedness of the administration in providing warm clothings and other things following the onset of winter. Directives have been issued to provide medical aid and health facilities to the camp inmates.