Odisha rights body calls for report on disrespect to dead tourist

Bhubaneswar, Jan 11 (IANS) The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Wednesday issued notices to Puri District Collector and Inspector General of Police (Railways) over ferrying of the body of a tourist from Madhya Pradesh on a trolley rickshaw for cremation in Puri.

Taking suo motu cognizance of the incident, the Commission directed to investigate the matter and submit a report within four weeks.

A group of tourists coming from Madhya Pradesh had come to Puri and, during their stay, one of the male members of the group suddenly fell ill and died on Tuesday evening.

Due to want of money and lack of any help from any quarter, the dead body of the deceased was taken in a trolley rickshaw to Swargadwar, Puri, for cremation by his wife.

"Although the wife of the deceased reported about the death of her husband at the Government Railway Police Station, Puri, there was no sign of any help from them.

"Such unhelpful attitude of the GRP, Puri, in the instant case clearly illustrates that the sense of humanity has suffered a heavy casualty," said the OHRC.

However, after the matter came to the notice of the district administration, arrangements were made to carry the body to Swargadwar in proper manner and necessary financial assistance was also promised to the wife of the deceased, the Commission added.