Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 27: After severe criticism from various quarters over a man carrying the dead body of his wife on his shoulders in Bhawanipatna due to the non-availability of an ambulance, the state government has assured that there will be no repeat of such incidents.
Terming the incident as extremely unfortunate, health and family welfare minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak Saturday said, “Departmental investigation is underway. Strong action will be taken against the persons found guilty in this case. We are taking all steps to prevent the happening of such incident in the future.”
Meanwhile, the incident has stirred state politics. Both Congress and BJP are not leaving any stone unturned to attack the ruling BJD over the incident. The two parties also held demonstrations in the capital city and Bhawanipatna even as the BJD has been on the defensive.
BJP activists are also sitting on dharna before the office of Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) in Bhawanipatna. BJP leader and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan demanded that the state government take exemplary action against the concerned officials without any delay.
“The Kalahandi incident has sullied Orissa’s image. Such an incident should not have taken place,” Pradhan said here. Meanwhile, the state BJP has formed a fact-finding team led by MLA Rabi Nayak. The team will visit the place and submit a report to state president Basant Panda. It will also be forwarded to BJP central leadership.
A fact-finding team of Congress today went to the area to probe the incident. The team also met Dana Majhi, the man who carried the dead body of his wife Amang Dei for almost 10 kms, said sources.
Alleging the state government has failed to perform its responsibility, senior Congress leader Pradeep Majhi said, “The Kalahandi incident proved that the state government has failed to execute its responsibility. It has no moral right to continue to rule the state. The Chief Minister should step down.” Dana had carried the dead body of his wife Amang Dei on his shoulder from the Bhawanipatna district headquarters hospital in Kalahandi district for almost 10 kms. Dana had alleged that the hospital authorities had denied him an ambulance to carry the body of his wife back home. His wife had died of tuberculosis in the hospital.
