BHOPAL/NAGPUR: The cough syrup tragedy spread beyond MP’s Chhindwara on Wednesday, with the state confirming three deaths from neighbouring Betul and Pandhurna districts. The toll rose to 21, with another death in Chhindwara, even as CM Mohan Yadav admitted to lapses, saying, “Chook se dukh hota hai”. Chhindwara has reported 18 deaths, while five kids are still critical in Nagpur.

SIT searches Sresan Pharma units, owner still on the runAcknowledging lapses, CM Mohan Yadav told mediapersons in Bhopal late Wednesday evening that better coordination among field officials was needed avert such incidents. “I am saying this with a heavy heart,” he added.Yadav emphasised “collective responsibility”, saying, “All should work towards serving the masses and I welcome constructive criticism from all quarters, be it the opposition, media or anyone else so that the system functions smoothly.”So far, all deaths of children were due to renal failure they allegedly consumed Coldrif cough syrup that was found to contain 48.6% diethylene glycol (DEG) — a poisonous industrial chemical.In some cheer amid the 45-day trail of tragedies linked to the syrup, a one-year-old boy, Pratik Pawar, recovered from kidney failure and encephalopathy, returning home Wednesday. He was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Nagpur. Pratik had been administered a different brand of cough syrup, unlike others who had consumed the toxic Coldrif.Meanwhile, the SIT team reached Chennai and Kancheepuram, and searched the manufacturing unit of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the company that produces Coldrif. The company’s owner has been absconding since Oct 4. His family members, too, could not be traced.