Assam, Mar 22: The Leader of Opposition in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly and Co-Incharge of the Assam Assembly Elections, Sunil Sharma, chaired a series of focused meetings with party election committees in Assam, as part of the party’s intensified preparations for the forthcoming Assembly Elections.

Sunil Sharma presided over an important meeting with the Election Management Committee of the North Karimganj Assembly Segment in Assam, where comprehensive discussions were held on strengthening organizational machinery and ensuring seamless election preparedness at all levels. He also chaired separate meetings with the District Election Committee, Lakhipur, and the Election Management Committee of the Borkhola Assembly Segment, reviewing ground-level readiness and aligning strategic objectives for the upcoming polls.

The meetings were primarily aimed at reinforcing organizational preparedness, refining electoral strategies, and ensuring coordinated execution across constituencies. Detailed deliberations focused on booth-level management, systematic voter outreach programmes, and enhanced coordination among party workers to ensure efficient campaign execution. Special emphasis was laid on effective communication of the party’s vision, policies, and achievements to the grassroots, ensuring that the message resonates with every section of society.

During the interactions, Sunil Sharma underlined the importance of discipline, unity, and people-centric campaigning, stressing that these pillars are essential for building public trust and ensuring maximum participation in the democratic process. He urged party workers to remain connected with the people, address their concerns proactively, and work with sincerity and commitment to strengthen the party’s bond with the electorate.

Sunil Sharma appreciated the dedication, organizational discipline, and commitment demonstrated by committee members across districts. He encouraged them to work with renewed energy and unwavering determination to advance the party’s vision of inclusive development, good governance, and holistic progress for the people of North Karimganj, Lakhipur, Borkhola and the entire region. He further prompted them for a collective resolve to function in a structured, strategic, and transparent manner, ensuring a strong electoral performance in the forthcoming Assembly Elections.

Rajamahendravaram, Mar 22: The death toll in the suspected milk adulteration case in East Godavari district has risen to 16, while three persons are currently undergoing treatment at hospitals in Rajamahendravaram, officials said on Sunday.

The incident dates back to mid-February when adulterated milk supplied in parts of Lalacheruvu allegedly caused severe health complications among consumers, including vomiting, abdominal pain, anuria and acute renal dysfunction, leading to multiple hospitalisations.

The case came to light on February 22 after a cluster of patients with acute kidney failure symptoms was reported from Chowdeswaranagar and Swaroopanagar areas, prompting health authorities to launch an epidemiological investigation.

Laboratory findings show that the 16 victims died of multi-organ failure triggered by acute renal failure after consuming milk contaminated with the toxic substance ethylene glycol, according to an official press release issued on Sunday.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the victims suffered acute renal failure with elevated blood urea and serum creatinine levels, suggesting toxic exposure likely linked to contaminated milk consumption,” the release said.

Milk supplied to over 100 families from a dairy unit in Narasapuram village under Korukonda mandal was identified as the suspected source, following which supply from the unit was immediately stopped, it said.

Between February 16 and March 21, a total of 20 persons were admitted to various hospitals, of whom 16 succumbed, while three remain under treatment, and one was discharged after recovery.

Authorities said the patients included elderly persons and children, with several requiring dialysis and ventilator support, while emergency medical camps and surveillance measures were deployed in affected localities.

Rapid Response Teams comprising medical specialists, epidemiologists and surveillance officers were constituted to monitor the situation, conduct field visits and ensure early identification of symptomatic cases.

House-to-house surveys were conducted covering over 300 individuals across affected families, with blood samples collected and tested, officials said, adding that the majority of results were found to be normal.

The Food Safety Department inspected the suspected dairy unit and collected samples of milk, curd, ghee, paneer, water and other materials, which were sent to multiple laboratories for microbial and chemical analysis.

Based on a complaint lodged by the deceased woman’s son, Tadi Seetharamaiah, police registered a case on February 22 under section 194 (that deals with unnatural deaths) of the BNSS.

Police took the suspected milk vendor into custody, while forensic teams examined the premises and collected evidence.

Meanwhile, teams from the Animal Husbandry Department collected additional samples of milk, cattle feed and water for toxicological analysis to determine any external contamination factors.

Senior health officials and specialist doctors from Hyderabad have been deputed to monitor treatment protocols and coordinate patient care across hospitals.

Authorities said the situation is currently under control, and further action will be taken based on detailed laboratory findings and the outcome of the ongoing investigation.