Allahabad: Black flags show to UP Health Minister, SP workers held

Five Samajwadi Party workers were detained on Monday for showing black flags to Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh here.

This came amid chaos in the state due to the recent Gorakhpur tragedy which claimed the life of around 80 children in the Baba Raghav Das Medical College, Gorakhpur, due to alleged disruption in the supply of oxygen.

The Opposition also demanded Siddharth Nath and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath resignation after this incident.

Earlier in the day, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh Government and sought a detailed report in the matter.

The Commission has also asked the government for the steps taken for relief and rehabilitation of the affected families as well as action taken against the guilty officers within four weeks.

The notice comes after the Commission took suo motu cognizance of several media reports hinting at negligence in the supply of liquid oxygen at the hospital which resulted in the tragedy.

According to the press release, the Commission has observed that reported deaths, in such a large number in a government hospital, amounts to various serious violation of Right to Life and Health of the innocent victims.

Earlier on Saturday, Adityanath said that a magisterial inquiry has been ordered and a committee has been formed to look into the Gorakhpur tragedy.

"Nobody can be more sensitive towards those children than me. Prime Minister is very concerned and he assured complete assistance from the Centre.