Dibrugarh, June 16: A deeply distressing mix-up at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) has left two bereaved families devastated after the bodies of two deceased youths were allegedly exchanged following post-mortem examinations.

The shocking error came to light when the family of Manoj Bauri, a resident of Khamlung Line in Sonari, opened his coffin shortly before performing the last rites on Sunday. To their horror, the body inside was not that of their son.

Manoj had suffered critical injuries in a road accident on June 7 and had been undergoing treatment at AMCH before succumbing to his injuries. Following the post-mortem, hospital authorities handed over a body to the family, who transported it nearly 150 kilometres to Sonari believing it was Manoj.

The heartbreaking truth emerged only when relatives gathered for the funeral and discovered that the body belonged to another individual.

Subsequent inquiries revealed that the body handed over to Manoj’s family was that of Sunil Nayak, a resident of Doomdooma. In a parallel mix-up, Manoj’s body had reportedly been handed over to Sunil’s family, who had also taken it home believing it to be their loved one.

The revelation triggered panic and anguish in both households, forcing authorities to intervene. The bodies were later brought back to Dibrugarh, correctly identified and exchanged before being handed over to the respective families late at night.

The incident has sparked outrage in Sonari and across Upper Assam, with residents alleging serious negligence in the handling and identification of bodies at the hospital mortuary.

For Manoj Bauri’s family, already coping with the loss of a young family member, the ordeal added another layer of emotional trauma and financial hardship. Local residents said no grieving family should have to endure such a painful experience while preparing to bid farewell to a loved one.

The episode has also revived memories of a similar incident reported from Sonari in the past, where a body was allegedly buried after being wrongly identified before the mistake was eventually discovered.

As public anger grows, calls are mounting for a thorough inquiry, accountability and stricter protocols in hospital mortuaries to ensure such incidents are never repeated.

Hospital authorities are yet to issue a detailed statement on the matter.