Bhadrak: The mortal remains of an Odia migrant labourer who died in Haryana has been stranded for the last five days.
Despite repeated intimation and complaints, the district administration has allegedly done precious little to bring back the body which has been kept in a freezer following his death, the deceased's family alleged.
As per reports, Sudarsan Mallik of Bansabag village under Tihidi police station in the district had migrated to Sonipat in Haryana in search of job. One Narayan Roul of the same area had taken him to outside the State promising a lucrative job.
Narayan who had flown back to home few days ago following Covid crisis, had recently called the family members of the Sudarshan stating that the latter was seriously ill.
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Later, on May 9, Sudarsan’s family received a call from Haryana informing that he succumbed to his illness.
Meanwhile, his family members had lodged a complaint at Tihidi police station, alleging murder.
“We have no clue to know the exact reason of his sudden death. We suspect he had been murdered there. He had migrated to the place in search of job. Narayan Roul had taken him to the outstation place luring him with a job of Rs 30,000 per month,” alleged Jayanti Mallick, wife of the deceased.
“Neither we can visit there to bring the body back nor can we perform the last rites due to our poor financial condition”, she added.
She further alleged that her husband was also subjected to mental torture and was forced to work without salary. "Even he has not been paid his remuneration for last 15 months," she alleged.
Jayanti today aproached the Superintendent of Police after the Tihidi police allegedly sat on her complaint.
The alleged administrative apathy has drawn sharp criticism from concerned citizens in the locality.
“It is a matter of concern that neither the administration is making efforts to bring back the body nor is it helping the bereaved family to travel there to perform the last rites. The family members are still waiting to receive the body which is stored a refrigerator there. They can’t also perform the death rituals as per Hindu tradition,” said Gadadhar Bal, a lawyer.
The administration is yet to comment on the matter.