KOLKATA: In a tragic tale of loss and longing, a father anxiously awaits the homecoming of his son for nine excruciating days following the devastating triple train crash in Odisha that claimed 288 lives. Shibakanta Roy, continues his relentless search for his 22-year-old son, Bipul Roy’s body.
“My eldest son, Bipul Roy’s dead body is in Bihar. I couldn’t even bid my son a final farewell. I am in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, waiting to reclaim my son’s remains. How do I face his mother? I will not return empty-handed. I will wait indefinitely until I bring back my son’s lifeless body,” expresses the grief-stricken father.
ALSO READ: Balasore Train Tragedy: How this ex-army man saved 28 lives
Bipul Roy, a mason worker, was on his way back home to Coochbehar’s Aam Bari from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh when the tragic accident occurred. The news reached Shibakanta Roy, who works in Arunachal Pradesh, prompting him to urgently dispatch his elder brother to Odisha. He pleaded with the Block Development Officer (BDO) to arrange transportation for him to Odisha.
Upon reaching the location, Roy’s younger brother discovered a photograph of a deceased individual bearing an uncanny resemblance to Bipul. Rushing to the room where the bodies were kept, their hopes were shattered when they learned that their son’s body had been mistakenly given to another family in Bihar.
ALSO READ: HOW IT HAPPENED: Balasore train accident explained
“We compared the photo. We showed it to the Superintendent of Police (SP) and other officers, who agreed that it was my son. Even the hospital staff confirmed the match. It’s not just my case; others I met are enduring the same fate as mine,” reveals Roy, recounting the anguish of misidentification.
Desperate for closure, the family now waits for the completion of a DNA test, hoping it will provide answers and facilitate the return of Bipul’s remains. However, the doctor cautions that if the body has been significantly burned, there may be limitations to the identification process. Shibakanta Roy finds himself left with nothing but the agonizing wait.
ALSO READ: Balasore Fighters: Injured railway attendant unfazed, determined to return to work
Coochbehar SP Sumit Kumar has confirmed the distressing situation faced by the grieving family. Due to a misunderstanding in the chaotic aftermath of the accident, which led to rapidly deteriorating corpses, the son’s body was mistakenly dispatched to Bihar.
Meanwhile, Bipul Roy’s fellow traveler, Dibendu Goswami, remains in critical condition and is receiving treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Goswami’s family appeals for swift treatment, as he urgently requires surgical intervention for his injuries.
ALSO READ: Balasore tragedy: Nervous father unsure of sending son back to work on ill-fated train
The triple train collision, which occurred on a Friday evening in Odisha, claimed the lives of 288 individuals and officially left thousands injured. The gravity of the tragedy is felt deeply by families like the Roys, who find themselves caught in a web of bureaucratic errors and overwhelming grief. The quest for justice and closure for Bipul Roy continues, as the family prays for a swift resolution and a chance to bid their beloved son a proper farewell.
