At least 21 people have died and 400 fell ill as malaria assumed epidemic proportions in different hilly and interior places of Tripura, a minister said today.

Health Minister Badal Chowdhury, who rushed to Dhalai district along with health teams, said all leaves of health department employees were cancelled and the situation would be tackled on war footing.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar reviewed the situation last night with top officials including the officiating Chief Secretary G K Rao, health secretary Kishor Ambuly and senior doctors.

A special alert was sounded in Dhalai district where at least 16 people had died of the disease in the last fortnight.

However, unofficial reports suggest at least 60 people died of malaria and more than 900 people were affected by the disease.

Officials said second generation medicines were being used in the affected areas for prompt actions and 10,000 malaria rapid diagnostic kits were rushed there.

A helicopter was kept in readiness for rushing medical teams and ferrying patients.

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