Wayanad: A tribal woman's body was transported to the public crematorium in an autorickshaw, allegedly due to the non-availability of an ambulance on time, triggering a protest in this district on Monday.

The image of the body, wrapped in a bedsheet and transported in an autorickshaw, was widely circulated by television channels. Chundamma had passed away at her home, and the family reportedly waited for hours for an ambulance from the tribal development office to take the body to the crematorium, located several kilometres away, reported PTI.

The incident drew widespread criticism, with opposition Congress activists staging a protest in front of the local tribal development office later in the day. They accused officials of negligence and demanded action against those responsible for the delay.

Official sources blamed the local tribal promoter for failing to inform the tribal development office about the requirement for an ambulance. Authorities assured the protesters that action would be taken against those responsible for the lapse.