Probe Sought Into Three Deaths Due to Kidney Disease in Anakapalli Tribal Village
Village leaders allege that granite quarrying activities in the vicinity of the village are contaminating groundwater, which is leading to the rising incidence of kidney ailments.
Visakhapatnam: Expressing concern over a series of deaths linked to kidney disease, residents of K. Gadabapalem village in Ravikamatham mandal of Anakapalli district have staged a protest demanding that the district collector conduct a comprehensive investigation into the possible causes and provide immediate medical help to the affected families.
According to villagers, K. Gadabapalem is home to around 90 tribal families comprising 250 people, who belong to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). Village leaders allege that granite quarrying activities in the vicinity of the village is contaminating the groundwater, which is leading to the rising incidence of kidney ailments.
Villagers underlined that three people have died during the current month alone, while several others are suffering from kidney ailments. They identified the deceased as Neelapu Arjuna, son of Chandrayya; Neelapu Pedda Arjuna; and Neelli Nookaraju. They also suspect that Arigina Modu Raju (57), who died on September 5, 2026, had succumbed to a kidney disease.
Village elders said those affected initially developed fever and visited the Primary Health Centre in Kothakota. There, doctors referred them to the Area Hospital in Narsipatnam. Patients diagnosed with kidney-related complications had subsequently been referred to the King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam. While three of the patients died, some patients who have returned home are still undergoing dialysis at the Narsipatnam Area Hospital.
Village leaders said the actual cause for the kidney ailments still remains unclear and called for a scientific investigation. During their protest, where they displayed the photographs of the deceased, they demanded that the district administration depute a special medical team to the village, conduct kidney function tests on members of every family, and examine drinking water sources to determine whether contamination due to illegal quarrying or other environmental factors is causing the kidney ailments.
They sought financial assistance for the families of those who have died, as well as proper medical treatment of residents currently suffering from kidney ailments.
Those who led the protests included Neelapu Bullemmma and Neelapu Chandramma. Vyavasaya Karmikula Sangham district assistant secretary K. Govinda Rao and Girijana Sangham leader Solem Rajababu extended their support to the protesters.