Kalahandi: In August 2016, Kalahandi hogged headlines after a man, Dana Majhi, walked for 10 kilometres with his wife's corpse on his shoulder after being denied a hearse vehicle. Nothing seems to have changed for the people residing in the remote areas as cases of disrespect to the dead fail to die down even after three years. In another such incident, family members of a deceased man carried his body in a sling in Rampur block on Monday after authorities of Kaniguma health centre allegedly refused to provide them a hearse van.
As per sources, one Nigidi Majhi, a resident of Balichara village was admitted to Kaniguma health centre after he fell sick yesterday. He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the health centre.
The hospital authorities asked Nigidi’s family members to take his body back to home, however, they did not arrange a hearse van for the same.
Unable to hire a private vehicle to carry Nigidi’s mortal remains, the relatives of the deceased prepared a sling and carried his body for five kilometers to crematorium to perform the last rites.
“When we asked for an ambulance, they (hospital officials) said that the emergency vehicle was not available as it is Monday. It will come only in the midnight,” said a relative of Nigidi.
After the incident was telecast today, Kalahandi CDMO, Banalata Debi immediately ordered a probe into the matter. “I have directed the ADPHO (TB) and officer-in-charge of the medical to probe the matter. Further action will be taken after I get a detailed report from them,” she informed.
It is pertinent to mention here that Dana Majhi had carried his wife Amangdei’s body on shoulder for nearly 10 km after being denied a hearse van on August 24, 2016. The incident had caught worldwide attention.