Kantabanji police cremates woman's unclaimed body : Sets eye-opener for social outfits

Balangir, Dec 20: Kantabanji police in Odisha's Balangir district has set a new record by cremating an unidentified woman’s body on Saturday, which was left out rotted in the hospital. Led by Kantabanji Sub-Divisional Police Officer(SDPO), Hrisikesh Meher, a team of police carried the body from the hospital bed to the crematorium for her funeral. Sources said, an elderly woman was admitted to the Kantabanji hospital by an anonymous attendant. Meanwhile, she died to her ailments while the attendant was no where found near the bed. As a result, the deceased had no claimant to receive the body. In this situation, the body was left out in the hospital mortuary in a rotting condition. Getting a death memo from the hospital authorities, Kantabanji police made every arrangement for the cremation of the body. Accordingly, the police managed to set a hearse with bamboos and lent shoulders to carry the body to the graveyard. Being inspired by the humanitarian initiatives of the police team, a few social workers and Additional Tehsildar, who was deployed as the Executive Magistrate for disposal of the unclaimed body joined hands with the police. Ultimately, the body was laid in the pyre following basic traditions where the SDPO performed the last rituals, as one of the kith and kin of the departed soul. Body of a human irrespective of caste, creed and religion should be paid due dignity. Especially, a woman-mother’s mortal remains should be treated more respectfully with a heartfelt adieu, said SDPO, Meher while sacrificing a sacred bath for the anonymous mother.