Villagers perform last rites on roadside in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh

Can you imagine a village without a graveyard, it is a big no, but the Dhanapuram village in Anantapur district does not have a place to perform the last rites of the deceased. Losing near and dear ones is very painful and if they cannot be given a decent burial, the kith and kin of those who breathed their least will not tolerate and curse the authorities concerned for their apathy.

Anantapur:Providing basic amenities to the people is the duty of the government, but if they turn Nelson's eye towards them, the authorities concerned will attract the ire of the people. Though the needy can wait with patience and even run from pillar to post to redress their grievances, but they cannot keep the bodies of the dead in their houses waiting for the officials to provide them with a graveyard for performing the final rites of their near and dear ones.

It is ironic that Dhanapuram village in Parigi mandal of Anantapur district has been deprived of a burial ground. Villagers are conducting the last rites of the deceased on the roadside. The road leading from Dhanapuram to Birepalli village is being used as a funeral ground.

Villagers venting their ire at the authorities' apathy as they had failed to provide them with a burial ground though they had repeatedly asked them to allocate the land. When authorities were questioned about the land allocation to the burial ground, they reportedly said that the responsibility lies with higher officials. Finally, on approaching the tahsildar, he said that the order has been issued to allot the land, but it's a million-dollar question when the officials concerned will wake up from slumber and take steps to provide the land.