Tribal Villagers Wade Through Waist-Deep River With Dead Body for Last Rites in Gujarat’s Valsad

A tribal community in Rajpuri Jungle village of Dharampur was forced to carry a dead body through waist-deep water to reach the cremation ground. The incident highlights the lack of a proper road or bridge for more than 300 tribal residents of the Chikda hamlet. A video of the incident went viral on social media, after which officials visited the area and assured residents that a check dam-cum-causeway would be built.

No Proper Route to Cremation Ground

For years, residents of Chikda hamlet have faced difficulties because of the Man river. People have to take a longer route of around 5 to 7 km to reach the cremation ground, hospital and other places for their daily needs. The lack of a safe crossing becomes more difficult when the river has high water levels.

Recently, a man died in the hamlet. His family and other residents had to carry his body on a bier through waist-deep water to reach the cremation ground. The incident was recorded on video and later circulated widely on social media, drawing attention to the problems faced by the villagers.

Officials Assure Check Dam-Cum-Causeway

After the video went viral, officials from the Roads and Buildings Department visited the site. They assured the villagers that their long-standing demand for a check dam-cum-causeway would be addressed. The proposed structure is expected to provide a safer way for residents to cross the river.

The incident has also raised questions about basic infrastructure in tribal areas. While development funds and projects are often discussed, residents of Rajpuri Jungle continue to face serious problems in accessing basic facilities. For the villagers, the demand is simply a safe route to the cremation ground, hospital and other essential places.