Sri Vijaya Puram, July 29: Mr. Angshuman Roy, State Youth President of Hindu Rashtra Shakti, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has written to senior authorities, including the Home Minister of India, Member of Parliament, Lt. Governor, Chief Secretary of A&N Administration, and the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman, raising a critical concern regarding the complete non-availability of mortuary van services under the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council (SVPMC).
Talking to media persons at Port Blair Mr. Roy highlighted the grave distress faced by grieving families—particularly those from North and Middle Andaman—who are left without any functional mortuary van to transport deceased loved ones for last rites. According to him, most mortuary vans have remained non-operational for over one and a half months, either under repair or unavailable for public use.
“This is not just an inconvenience; it is a humanitarian crisis,” said Mr. Roy. “Bereaved families are being forced to leave bodies unattended for long periods or incur heavy expenses to arrange private transport. This is unacceptable, especially in a Union Territory where geographical isolation already creates logistical challenges.” It is deeply disappointing to witness such Administrative apathy, especially when public services should prioritize responsiveness, empathy, and efficiency. The failure to maintain even basic mortuary van services reflects a serious lapse in governance and accountability.
Citing administrative apathy and failure in basic public service delivery, Mr. Roy called for immediate corrective action, including restoration of mortuary van services under SVPMC urgently, ensuring at least one functional vehicle is available at all times; Conduct an urgent audit of vehicle maintenance and establish a clear timeline for repairs/replacements and Implementatin of Long-term measures, including proper budgeting and planning, to prevent such disruptions, considering the islands’ geographical constraints.
Mr. Roy emphasized the need for empathy, urgency, and accountability, asserting that no family should be denied the dignity of performing the last rites due to a lack of basic infrastructure.
The appeal has been sent to all relevant administrative heads and political representatives in the Union Territory and New Delhi, urging their immediate attention and intervention in the public interest.
