Drug addict’s family refuses to cremate body

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, July 15

Family members of an addict, who had allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of a running train three days ago, have refused to cremate his body. Later, a city-based NGO performed last rites it at a local crematorium.

Notably, the parents of the deceased are living under extremely poor conditions. After getting the post-mortem done at the Civil Hospital, they refused to cremate the body.

Vijay Goyal, president of Sahara Welfare Society, said, “Prem Kumar (30) had left his parents around seven years ago. He used to lift garbage from different parts of the city to earn money. According to his father, he did not return after leaving them. Prem was addicted to drugs. There was no source of earning in the family. His father earns some money working as a daily labourer, but he does not get work on a daily basis.”

Goyal added, “His parents said that they don't have any money for the cremation and they also don’t want to cremate the body as he had left them when they needed him the most. Prem’s parents are living in the Janta Nagar area and struggling to manage two time meal in a day. We have got the cremation done following all customs and rites so that his soul can rest in peace.”