Bhubaneswar, Feb. 16 -- In a shocking incident that has sparked unrest, the body of a 14-year-old boy lay inside his home for over 24 hours after villagers allegedly refused to allow his cremation. The incident took place in Kopena village under Umerkote police limits in Nabarangpur district. The minor had passed away on Saturday (14 February), but simmering tensions between two groups in the village escalated into a dispute over access to the cremation ground.

According to reports, members of one group objected to the use of the village cremation ground. Matters worsened when the grieving family was reportedly denied permission to perform the last rites even on their own land, deepening anguish and fuelling tensions across the village....