Birajakhetra: A man was forced to carry his eight-year-old granddaughter’s body on his shoulders as he couldn’t get an ambulance or a mortuary van. He was identified as Pradip Mallick of Erada village under Bari block in Jajpur district.
According to sources, Pradip’s granddaughter Mamuni (8) fell into a hot oil pan during a function at his house. Her uncle Pratap Mallick sustained grievous burn injuries while trying to rescue Mamuni.
Family members rescued and rushed the duo to Sujanpur Government Hospital. Later, they were shifted to Jajpur district headquarters hospital for further treatment as their condition worsened. However, Mamuni succumbed to her injuries during treatment Thursday night.
The body was sent for post-mortem and handed over to family members Friday noon. With no money to hire a mortuary van, Mamuni’s grandfather wrapped the body in a shawl and carried it on his shoulders. He was helped by a relative as they carried the body through the town.
Even as the tragic episode attracted a huge crowd, no police or medical authorities showed up.
When contacted, the ADMO said the family had failed to deposit money for mortuary van. Locals questioned his stand as the government has a clear directive to provide free mortuary van in such cases. PNN
