Daijiworld Media Network - Chitradurga (SP)

Chitradurga, Dec 22: Close on the heels of the incident in which 16 persons died and nearly a hundred people are being treated after consuming food mixed with poison at Sulvadi in Chamarajanagara district, comes the news that four persons from a single family who consumed poisonous food on Thursday December 20 night have lost their lives. This tragic incident happened in Hulithottilu village in Hiriyur taluk of the district.

Head of the family, Chittappa (80), his son, Shashidhar (45), daughter, Bhagyamma (32), and daughter-in-law, Hemalata (35), died in this incident. Chittappa died in a hospital in the town while the others breathed there last at the district hospital at Davanagere.

Condition of Hemalata's children, Mudduraj (14) and Ajay Kumar (14) and Bhagyamma's daughter, Suma (13), is stated to be critical. They are being treated in the intensive care unit of S S Hi-tech Hospital at Davanagere.

It is said that the family had prepared 'Mudde' from the jowar flour their neighbours had offered to them for feeding their bullocks, in the morning. The seven persons consumed this Mudde with lablab (green bean) dish. Shortly thereafter they fell ill. Hemalata who cooked the food also died. Her husband, Sadashivappa, who was on a visit to Kolalu Kenchappa temple had gone to bed without food as he was not feeling well. He has survived.

The family had food at around 8 pm on Thursday, and all of them suffered from sickness symptoms at around 10 pm. They were taken to Hiriyur hospital in an ambulance by villagers. The doctors then sent them to district hospitals t Chitradurga and Davanagere for advanced treatment.

District superintendent of police, Dr K Arun, said that the food has been sent to Davanagere food safety laboratory at Davanagere and result is awaited. A case about the incident was registered in Aimangala police station.