The Chhindwara Chemist Association has launched an indefinite strike from midnight to protest the sealing of five chemist shops linked to the Coldrif cough syrup tragedy, which has claimed at least 20 children’s lives across Madhya Pradesh due to alleged diethylene glycol (DEG) contamination.
The association called the action “unjust,” arguing that blame should rest with the manufacturer and testing labs, not local sellers. “We support investigations, but sealing shops and penalising chemists is unfair,” said association president Santosh Chore, urging authorities to unseal the shops and revise probe protocols.
Health Minister Rajendra Shukla confirmed that 20 children17 from Chhindwara, two from Betul, and one from Pandhurna have died. Police teams have been dispatched to Chennai and Kancheepuram to apprehend those responsible at Sresan Pharmaceuticals, which produced the toxic syrup.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced that the state will cover the treatment costs of nine children under care in Nagpur and has deployed a joint team to monitor their recovery.
