Clashes erupt between police and locals, 11 arrested, cop hurt
JAMSHEDPUR: The Jamshedpur police arrested 11 persons on Sunday as a violent clash occurred at the Swarnarekha crematorium after local residents, opposing cremation of two Covid-19
patients, pelted stones at the police . A woman police officer was among several injured, officials said.
The district administration and the police had a harrowing time cremating the bodies of 71-year-old trade union leader Dinesh Sharma and 88-year-old Chandrika Devi on Sunday as the crematorium staff fled from the spot soon after the clash initiated. It was then, a staff was brought from Parvati Ghat Crematorium under Bistupur police station to conducted the cremations.
“Some people were opposing cremation of Covid-19 patients but we have been able to convince them that Coronavirus doesn’t spread by cremating such bodies. We have cremated both the bodies and the situation is now peaceful,” Chandan Kumar, Jamshedpur SDO, said.
“We have arrested some people for agitating and stone pelting, and the investigation is on. We also need to remove such baseless confusion, myth and rumours leading to such law and order problems. The temperature inside the burning chambers of the crematorium is about 500 degree centigrade. No virus can survive in such conditions,” Subhash Chandra Jat, Jamshedpur city SP, said.
The clash occurred despite Jamshedpur deputy commissioner Ravishankar Shukla and senior superintendent of police Dr M Tamil Vanan deputing three magistrates, six police officers and quick response teams from police control room and Jugsalai police station Saturday night anticipating trouble.
The move came after the residents, led by JMM leader and former state minister Dulal Bhuiya, staged angry protest against the cremation of Covid-19 patients at the crematorium, fearing infection could spread in the nearby slums and colonies.
Dulal, in fact, held talks with Jamshedpur SDO Chandan Kumar and had said that the administration must undertake an awareness campaign to convince the local people that Coronavirus doesn’t spread through cremation of positive patients.