Balangir: Stray dogs feeding on half-burnt bodies of COVID patients at the Bijakhaman cremation is making for a ghastly sight not to say leaving the local residents disturbed. The pictures have gone viral and people have urged the Sub Collector to look into the matter immediately.
According to sources, most of the bodies are left half-burnt due to insufficient firewood and supervision by municipal authorities. The administration is reportedly paying Rs 7,500 for cremating each body.
Locals say partially-cremated body parts can be seen strewn across open fields near the crematorium, about 3 km from Balangir town. “When a Covid patient dies, we accept the fact that the body will not be handed over to the family. But the least we can expect is a dignified cremation,” the relative of a COVID victim was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express (TNIE).
Following allegations, Balangir Sub Collector Lambodhar Dharua visited the Bijakhaman crematorium on Sunday and directed the in-charge staff to clean the area. He assured people that proper cremation will be done in adherence to guidelines, the report added.