Odia worker dies in SA, family members seek BJP leader help to bring body home

Bhubaneswar: Family members of an Odia worker who died in South Africa have urged Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vice president Baijayant Panda to extend help in bringing back the body.

The deceased was identified as Dibakar Jena, a resident of Manapur under Aul Police limits of Kendrapara.

As per reports, an agent took Dibakar Jena to South Africa seven months ago to engage him in plumbing work. However, Dibakar died on Friday, but his family was reportedly not informed about the cause of his death.

Besides, the family alleged that the authorities of the company, where Dibakar was working, were not releasing his body.

Speaking to the media, Tulasi Jena, the mother of the deceased said, “We contacted some people, and they told us that my son was no more.”

Mahendra Jena, uncle of the deceased lamented, “Our son died three days ago. But we were not informed about his death immediately. They are not giving proper information about how he died. We want his body back. All our family members are drowned in sorrow and have been without food for the last three days after hearing the news.”

He said, “We appeal to Mr Baijayant Panda to intervene in the matter and take steps to bring back his body."