No roads, Villagers forced to carry a dead kinsman for 12 kilometres in TN

Chennai: In a tragic incident in Tamilnadu, a dead body had to be carried for 12 kilometers due to lack of a proper roads in a tribal area in Theni district on Friday. In Mudhuvakkudi near BodiKurangani of Theni, a bitter fight broke out between two individuals namely Bavun (60) and Sakthivel (30) over a property dispute. In a fit of rage, Sakthivel shot Navin. who was rushed to the Madurai Government Hospital in a serious condition to undergo treatment. He was later discharged to be looked after at home.However, Sakthivel died on Thursday.

Navin's relatives had to take a long route from his village to Kurangani due to lack of proper road. They carried his body for almost six kilometers from their village to Kurangani and then took it to Theni Government Hospital for the postmortem. After the medical procedures were completed, his relatives then had to walk another six kilometers with the body to his house.

Residents of the village have given representation to authorities several times over their condition but to no avail. Their complaints have fallen on deaf ears. Villagers said that in case of a medical emergency, it is extremely difficult for them to reach the hospital.

A villager said, 'Few months ago, a pregnant woman went into labour. We had no option but to carry her all the way to the hospital. Thank God nothing happened to her and the child. We are worried over the neglect'. The villagers boycotted the last Lok Sabha elections citing official apathy in proper roads not being laid in their area for several years.