Bhubaneswar, May 17 -- Bhanjanagar (Ganjam): Social stigma and fear of infection are still ruling the roost everywhere, especially in the rural pockets of the Stste, when it comes to the cremation of Covid patient's bodies.

With Covid 19 expanding its fatal footprints across the State, it continues to expose the dark side of the society as blood relations shun and disown the mortal remains of their near and dear one for the fear of infection.

Once such incident has been reported from Bhanja Nagar area in Ganjam district on Saturday. Left unattended for several hours, the body of an elderly woman who passed away during treatment at a Covid care centre, was finally cremated by the village sarpanch with the help of some volunteers.

Accord...