Gajapati: The chinks in management of Cyclone Titli and subsequent flood by Odisha government were exposed once again after a man was found carrying the body of his daughter on shoulders for post-mortem for nearly 8 kms in Raygad block of Gajapati district.
According to reports, Mukund Dora’s eight-year-old daughter had reportedly gone missing during Cyclone Titli and her body was recovered from a nullah yesterday.
Though Mukund had reported the matter, police allegedly took some photographs of the deceased girl and failed to initiate subsequent steps to conduct the post-mortem.
With no other option, Mukund carried the body on his shoulders to the hospital for post-mortem.
The shocking incident was reminiscent of Dana Majhi who had to carry the body of his wife on shoulders in Kalahandi district in 2016.
After today’s shocking incident in Gajapati, opposition parties in the state were expectedly furious.
Senior BJP leader Lekhashree Samantsinghar alleged that Odisha government took nearly 10 days to admit loss of human lives in cyclone Titli.
“When the Dana Majhi incident happened, we had hoped that the State government would learn and take remedial steps. But today’s incident in Gajapati has again exposed the real face of the government,” said Samantsinghar.
Samantsinghar further alleged that the all the administrative officials, police and the entire state machinery is working to cover up the misdeeds of the State government.
Senior Congress leader, Pradeep Majhi also attacked the State government for doing nothing to resolve basic issues at the ground level.
“Over 13 persons are still missing in Gajapati district and the ground zero situation is at its worst. The district administration has completely failed in discharging its duties,” said Majhi.
Gajapati district collector, Anup Shah in a presser held yesterday had informed that post-mortem of 26 bodies recovered after the cyclone had already been conducted.
"Out of the 49 casualties, 26 bodies have been recovered and identified. Identity of 13 bodies is yet to be ascertained,” Shah said.
Almost all the roads that were blocked due to the cyclonic storm have been cleared, Shah had said.
Office of former Kendrapara MP Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda too expressed concern over the shocking incident and tweeted…..
Later in the day, the Gajapati district administration extended a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to Mukuda Dora, the father of the deceased girl.