Rameshwar Mahto, 32, a resident of Dhavataand village in Giridih district in Jharkhand, moved to Malaysia last year. He used to do fitting work for a transmission company. He got stuck there because of the lockdown and was not able to reach home. On April 6, he fell ill and his conditions worsened by the time he was taken to a hospital. He died at a hospital in Malaysia.

It’s been nearly two months, but the family is still waiting for his body.

Poonam, his wife, said: “He died two months back, but we are still waiting. No one is helping us out. I have sought help from so many people, including government officials, but no one is doing anything.”

Poonam lives in the village with her in-laws and two children. The family was dependent on Rameshwar’s income. He would send money every month. His passing away is a big blow to the family.

“He was the only one in the family who was earning. I have to look after my in-laws and children. I have very little savings. Once that money gets over, how will I survive? No one will help us given the situation,” said Poonam.

Poonam is not alone. Manju Devi, who lives in Bisuiya village in Hazaribaug district in Jharkhand, is also waiting for her husband’s body.

Her husband, Mahadev Soren, was working as a labourer with a transmission company in Mauritania in South Africa. On May 26, he slipped in the bathroom and fell. He later died. His village is in a state of shock.

Mahadev’s younger brother, Sahebram Soren, said: “We are very worried. His wife keeps on crying and is under a lot of stress. They have four kids. It’s been so many days, but we still haven’t got his body.”

He added: “We have been trying, but things are difficult because of the lockdown. The least that the government can do is to bring his body back.”

Sikandar Ali, a social worker who has been helping migrant labourers get back home during the lockdown, said: “Many labourers from Jharkhand are stuck in different countries. The government is trying to bring them back. Many people have died during the lockdown. Their families are completely shattered. The government should help them out.”