The NGO chief said the girl died because of malnutrition. (Representational)
A 14-year-old girl studying in a government-run school for tribals near Palghar in Maharashtra has died, prompting questions by an NGO over the circumstances of her death.
While the NGO, Shramjeevi Sanghatana, said the girl died due to malnutrition, a government official said her medical report was awaited.
The girl was a Class 8 student at the government-run ashram school for tribals in Wada taluka of this district located in the area adjoining Mumbai.
She was initially taken to the rural hospital at Wada on Saturday, after she complained of uneasiness and fever, Palghar civil surgeon Kanchan Wanere told PTI.
Wanere said the teenager, who was anaemic, died of health complications, including convulsion, while being taken to the Thane district civil hospital for further treatment. However, the Shramjeevi Sanghatana, which works in tribal areas of the state, claimed it was a malnutrition-related death.
In a statement issued today, Shramjeevi Sanghatana chief Vivek Pandit said the girl's hemoglobin had dropped drastically and said her death was caused by malnutrition.
Asked about the NGO's claim, the civil surgeon said a detailed medical report of the girl is awaited.
Mr Pandit said the girl's death shows the government's apathy towards tribals. He said the girl was down with fever for the last three days, but she was not provided proper medical care by school authorities.