Once again, a dispute over burial of a body of a converted Christian at a Hindu cemetery has occurred in Nabarangpur district.

Tension erupted over burial of Jitru Bhatra (70) of Gulibodona village under Jharigaon block who died on Friday morning. Jitru and his family had converted to Christianity from Hinduism five years ago.

The villagers could know it three years after the conversion and requested the family to return to Hinduism but the deceased did not pay heed to them. As there are no Christians except the family of the deceased in the village, there is no burial ground for the Christians in the village.

So the villagers didn't allow the burial in the village cemetery meant for the Hindus. On the other hand, the villagers demanded the administration to take the body elsewhere for cremation.

Getting information, Jharigaon Tehsildar Chinmaya Sagar and Umerkote IIC Deepak Kumar Jena rushed to the spot and discussed with the villagers. But the situation did not improve. Finding no other way, the administration allotted another place adjacent to Gulibodona village for burial of the body but that too was opposed by thousands of people from Gulibodona, Niropodor and Gobri villages who gathered at the spot opposing the administration and didn't allow the burial to go on.

Later, the administration shifted the body to the mortuary of Umerkote CHC. As the deceased had not registered his name in JELC Church, Umerkote, there were talks that his body may not be allowed in the Christian cemetery.

Contacted, Jharigaon Tehsildar Chinmaya Sagar said it would be decided on Monday where the body would be cremated.

It is noteworthy to mention here that in a similar row over burial, aggrieved people in Umerkote had blocked the State highway in September. The police had to resort to baton charge to disperse the agitators.