Gulf News

Shunned by villagers, he is forced to live in his car

Odisha man was put through the ordeal despite testing negative for coronaviru­s infection

- BY EVANGELINE ELSA Deputy Social Media Editor

In the most recent case of social boycott due to Covid-19, a 30-year-old man in Odisha, is left with no choice but to live in his car, after being shunned by people at his village.

Reportedly, the man named Madhaba Patra, was put through this ordeal in spite of having already spent 14 days in quarantine in Berhampur and testing negative for coronaviru­s disease.

Patra, who is a videograph­er, had travelled to Bihar for some work on May 3 and returned after three days. Before reaching Odisha, he registered his name in the returnee list and informed the authoritie­s concerned. The officials then tested him and allowed him to stay in home quarantine in Berhampur.

The authoritie­s then gave him clearance papers, and he headed back home to Dolaba village in his car. But, Patra was unaware of the treatment that he was going to receive upon reaching his village.

According to an article on the newindiane­xpress.com, villagers reached his home and asked him to stay in quarantine. Patra showed them his clearance certificat­e, but to no avail. Things got to a point where locals cornered his father in the market area and started insulting him.

Furious with the way people were treating him and his family, Patra decided to take the matter to the Dolaba village head. Instead of helping Patra, the village leader asked him to stay in the nearby Kalinga quarantine centre.

With no one to help him, Patra was forced to follow orders and chose to stay in his car. Reportedly, he eats and sleeps inside the vehicle and only comes out to use the washroom at the quarantine centre.

 ??  ?? Madhaba Patra.
Madhaba Patra.

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