Covid fear: Kin shun body of youth who died of fever

No one from village or family organised funeral

Covid-19 pandemic has not only posed a serious survival challenge for human beings, but also it has infected humanity as can be observed from rising cases of inhuman treatment towards the dead across the country. Such an alarming incident has been reported from Kabisuryanagar area of Ganjam district in Odisha where the body of a youth was shunned by villagers and relatives over suspicion of Covid-19 infection.

As per reports, the youth was suffering from fever for past several days. On Wednesday, he was being taken to hospital by his siblings in an ambulance. However, the youth died on his way to the hospital.

While the ambulance brought the body back home, no one from the village or relatives came forward to help in organising a funeral for the deceased fearing Covid-19.

Left with no other choice, the siblings of the

deceased took the body by dragging it to a graveyard near Gauri Shankar road in the area. Seeing the plight of the siblings, some local residents informed the district administration following which an earthmoving machine was arranged to bury the body.

The video of the entire episode has gone viral on social media, triggering an outrage with some expressing serious concerns.

“They (deceased) deserve respect and dignity. Such inhumane treatment of the dead is utterly shameful,” said a local.

Sources said that though the Covid-19 test of the deceased was not conducted, people shunned the body out of fear and suspicion.