Funeral Blocked! Mayurbhanj Family Waits 4 Days for Cremation

Mayurbhanj, Sep 22: When humanity falters, even death is denied its dignity. That chilling reality unfolded in Mayurbhanj district’s Binjhua village under Tiring police limits, where a family was forced to wait four days before performing the last rites of their loved one.

The deceased, Karu Soren of Majhisahi, passed away on September 18 while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College in Kataka. His family brought the body home the following evening, but the cremation was delayed due to the late hour. The next day, when relatives attempted to conduct the funeral at the village cremation ground, they were stopped.

According to the family, villagers refused permission citing an old “banishment” order.

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In 2022, Soren’s family had been ostracized after he allegedly spoke with a member of another banished household. At that time, a fine of ₹500 was imposed.

Over four years, the penalty was inflated to ₹40,000. Since the family had not paid, villagers barred them from using the cremation ground.

The deceased’s younger daughter alleged, “Our family was banished because my father spoke to another ostracized person. We were fined, but since we couldn’t pay, they refused to allow his cremation in the village.”

Police intervention failed to resolve the standoff. Ultimately, with the help of the Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan, the funeral was conducted at Mukti Dham on the banks of the Khadkhai river in Rairangpur.