BERHAMPUR: In a grim reminder of the financial distress being faced by families of migrant workers, an elderly man of Kandhamal’s G Udayagiri block was allegedly forced to mortgage his agricultural land to bring back the body of his 40-year-old son who died in Chennai on October 24.
The migrant worker, Chittaranjan Pradhan of Madinaju village under Raikala panchayat, had shifted to Chennai in search of employment to support his family. He died there under circumstances which are yet to be disclosed.
Unable to arrange money for transporting his only child’s body back to Madinaju, his father Linganath Pradhan (63) reportedly mortgaged their agricultural land for Rs 15,000. Chittaranjan’s body was eventually brought home on Monday and his last rites were performed.
Family members said he was recently engaged and had returned to Chennai before Dussehra to resume work. His death has shattered the hopes of his family, particularly his father who had been looking forward to Chittaranjan’s marriage.
A delegation of the Social Workers’ Association of Kandhamal visited the bereaved family. The organisation urged the district collector and labour officer to extend necessary assistance to the family. Sources in Kandhamal collectorate said instructions had been issued to inquire into the incident and submit a detailed report.