The lush greenery and natural beauty of Dudhpaniya village, nestled in the Haveli Kharagpur block of Bihar's Munger district, hides a horrifying truth. In this Naxal-affected area of ​​Gangta Panchayat, there's no family that hasn't seen a member of the family die after they reach the age of 40...

National Desk: Behind the lush greenery and natural beauty of Dudhpaniya village, nestled in the Haveli Kharagpur block of Bihar's Munger district, lies a terrifying truth. In this Naxal-affected area of ​​Gangta Panchayat, there's no family that has seen a member survive past the age of 40. Here, people's lives slowly slip away—as if an invisible poison is spreading through their bodies.

Mysterious disease wreaks havoc

Vinod Besra, 56, is one of the oldest people in the village—and he, too, has been bedridden since 2019. Vinod says, "First, the pain in my legs started, then my waist gave out... Now, my body is slowly failing." His wife, Purni Devi (43), and daughter, Lalita (27), are also suffering from the same disease. Lalita's face and body now look years older than her age. Currently, six people are completely disabled—Kamleshwari Murmu, Chhota Durga, Bada Durga, Rekha Devi, and Surya Narayan Murmu. About 25 other villagers are battling the same disease, and now walk with the help of a stick.

Age of death – only 40 years!

According to villagers, the disease begins with leg pain around the age of 30, then gradually affects the waist and muscles.
In the past year alone, several people have died, including Fulmani Devi (40), Ramesh Murmu (30), Malti Devi (48), Salma Devi (45), Ranglal Marandi (55), and Nandu Murmu (50).

The villagers believe that contaminated water is the root cause of the disease. Previously, they drank water from mountain springs and wells, and this problem did not exist. Now, the supplied water is causing their deaths.

Health department begins investigation

Following Aaj Tak's report, Dr. Subhod Kumar (Medical Officer, Haveli Kharagpur) arrived at the village. He stated, "Preliminary investigations have revealed significant bone and muscle weakness." He has sent the report to higher authorities and recommended a team of doctors and water testing. SDM Rajiv Roshan also acknowledged that the disease may be linked to groundwater and mineral imbalances.

We don't want jobs, we don't want compensation, we just want clean water and treatment.

The people of Dudhpania make a living by selling wood and brooms from the forest. Electricity and roads have been provided, but employment and medical facilities remain elusive. The villagers now plead only one thing: "We don't want work, just give us clean water... so our children can survive."

A village of death or a mirror of government negligence?

The story of Dudhpaniya village isn't just about a disease, but about the silence of the system. Where every household has someone sick, life has become a slow wait for death.

PC:Punjab Kesari