MP News: Confusion continues over the number of deaths caused by contaminated drinking water in Indore, even as Chief Minister Mohan Yadav says his government is focused on public suffering, not statistics.
Speaking to reporters, Yadav said even a single death is painful for the government. He stressed that relief will not depend on numbers. According to him, official data usually includes only those cases where postmortems are conducted, while administrative procedures follow a separate process.
The controversy deepened after district authorities distributed compensation cheques to families of 18 deceased persons, despite the official death toll being stated as seven. This contradiction has raised serious questions over transparency and record-keeping.
Officials from the Indore division said health department records confirm seven deaths so far, while other officers linked only six fatalities directly to water contamination. The lack of clarity has added to public anxiety.
Earlier, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava had claimed that at least 10 patients died due to diarrhoea caused by polluted water. Local residents, however, allege the death toll is as high as 17, including a six-month-old infant.
As investigations continue, the gap between official claims and ground realities remains unresolved. Public trust now hinges on the final audit report.
