Srikakulam, February 26: The Andhra Pradesh Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department placed Srikakulam Municipal Commissioner H Kurma Rao under suspension on Wednesday.
The action followed a report from district officials citing negligence in preventing drinking water contamination, which triggered a severe diarrhoea outbreak in the town. One person died, and more than 70 were hospitalised due to the suspected waterborne illness.
Kurma Rao took charge only on February 11 after a recent transfer. The suspension came just before MA&UD Minister P Narayana's visit to the affected colonies.
Local MLA Gundu Shankar called the officer efficient and expressed surprise, vowing to push for revocation. Opposition voices labelled it a diversion from wider public health failures in water supply.
