Coronavirus: Odisha man shunned by villagers, forced to live in his car despite testing negative for COVID-19

India: Rise in cases of social boycott due to fear of coronavirus

In the most recent case of social boycott due to coronavirus, a 30-year-old man in the Indian state of Odisha, is left with no choice but to live in his car, after being shunned by people at his village.

Reportedly, the man named Madhaba Patra, was put through this ordeal in spite of having already spent 14 days in quarantine in Berhampur and testing negative for COVID-19.

Patra, who is a videographer, had travelled to Bihar for some work on May 3 and returned after three days. Before reaching Odisha, he registered his name in the returnee list and informed the concerned authorities, about his return. The officials then tested him and allowed him to stay in home quarantine in Berhampur.

The authorities then gave Patra his clearance papers, and he headed back home to Dolaba village in his car. But, he was completely unaware of the treatment that he was going to receive upon reaching his village.

According to an article on the newindianexpress.com, villagers reached his home and asked him to stay in quarantine. Patra showed them his clearance certificate and negative test report, but to no avail. Things got to a point where locals cornered his father in the market area and started insulting him.

Furious with the way people were treating him and his family, Patra decided to take the matter to the Dolaba Sarpanch (village head). Instead of helping Patra, the village leader asked him to stay in the nearby Kalinga quarantine centre.

With no one to help him, Patra was forced to follow orders and chose to stay in his car near the quarantine centre.

Facebook user Manohar Raghu who shared the news, said: “This is unfair treatment of people, a perfectly healthy man is being pushed into the risk of getting infected.”

Another user, Anveer Kabir posted: “People really show unnecessary hatred these days, they could have told him to self-isolate at home. I hope the authorities help him soon.”

Patra said, “I informed the matter to the local authorities but to no avail. Since there is a risk of contracting the infection in institutional quarantine where many migrant workers are housed, I decided to stay in my car. I hope the administration intervenes and saves me from this predicament.”

Reportedly, he eats and sleeps inside the vehicle and only comes out to use the washroom at the quarantine centre.