'3 have died of starvation'

Three of a family from Belehittalu near Gokarna died of starvation in a span of 15 days, says People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL).

PUCL member T V Narasimhappa told DH, “Narayan (55), Subbu (52) and Venkataramana (46), sons of Nagamma Maru Mukri, died of starvation in a span of 15 days. The PDS shop owner had stopped giving them grains for the past six months for not linking their ration card with Aadhaar.”

DC S S Nakul said Kumta tahsildar visited the house on the day of Venkataramana’s death. “They found two 25-kg rice bags. There are many choultries nearby, where mass feeding is done on a daily basis. So, the chances of the brothers dying of starvation are bleak.”