Buguda: A man had to carry the body of his father-in-law on a trolley for 13km from Balipadar to his village in Ganjam district Tuesday morning.
The matter came to light after some media persons spotted the body being taken on the trolley.
The deceased was identified as Brundaban Swain (50) of Goudiaborda village under this block in Ganjam district. According to sources, Swain was suffering from age-related health issues.
His daughter and son-in-law Tuna Swain admitted him to Berhampur-based MKCG Medical College and Hospital after his condition worsened December 12. Since there was no improvement in his condition even after treatment for a week, the family was allegedly told to return home.
Left with no option, they boarded a bus from Berhampur to Balipadar. However, Swain breathed his last due to his ailment inside the bus near Hinjilicut. Tuna and his wife reached Balipada with Swain’s body and tried to fetch a Mahaprayan vehicle, but in vain.
After much effort, the couple managed to hire a trolley to take the body to their village for last rites. The incident sparked tension in the area for a while.
Even as the state government has launched the Mahaprayan scheme to transport bodies from state-run hospitals free of cost, people continue to suffer due to the absence of hearse in remote areas, locals complained. PNN
