Keonjhar: In yet another instance of disrespect towards the dead, body of tribal youth, a labourer in the municipality was carried on a trolley rickshaw after his relatives were allegedly denied ‘Mahaprayan’ vehicle.
The shocking incident was reported from Dhobadiha area in this district Sunday. The deceased was identified as Kalia.
According to sources, Kalia worked as a labourer in Keonjhar municipality. He had left his job after he became sick and was under treatment for several days. Later, he died while undergoing treatment Sunday.
After post-mortem, the body was handed over to the family members. However, no hearse was available to take the body, so family members placed the body on a trolley and pulled it to the village for final rites.
“On being denied government Mahaprayana van, we were forced to carry the body on a trolley for cremation,” said Binu, one of the relative of the deceased.
This sparked resentment in the area as locals called the incident shameful. “Even after so many years, government facilities have failed to reach the poor in the mineral rich district. Though the state government is implementing many schemes and programmes, such welfare schemes still eludes many,” a local said.
PNN