* Text Courtesy IANS

*Images courtesy: © Thinkstock photos/ Getty Images

(IANS) Expressing concern over the "alarming rise" in dengue cases in and around Kolkata, the West Bengal Human Rights Commission (WBHRC) Tuesday sought a report from the state government about the steps to check the disease which has acquired "epidemic proportions".

"The commission has taken a suo motto cognisance of the alarming rise in dengue cases and the resultant deaths in and around the city. Today (Tuesday) we have asked a report from the state government asking details about the steps it has taken to check the epidemic," said commission joint secretary Sujoy Haldar.

The commission has asked Principal Secretary (Home) Basudeb Banerjee, to submit the report within three weeks giving a detailed account of the number of people affected, the death toll and the arrangements the government has made to prevent and cure the epidemic.

"There is a big variance in the official death toll and that given by the media. So we have asked for an accurate death toll," added Haldar.

According to the state health department, the dengue outbreak in West Bengal has affected 2,033 people and has already claimed seven lives, including two children.

The total number of people afflicted with the mosquito-borne disease has mounted to 1,024 in Kolkata. All the seven deaths have been reported from the metropolis.

However, the toll figure given by unofficial sources is much higher.