Shrouds removed from graves near cremation ghats, say locals
PRAYAGRAJ : The cleanliness drive being undertaken by civic and district administration officials at burial sites on the riverbanks near cremation ghats has drawn flak from various quarters.
Locals alleged that removal of shrouds covering shallow graves on the riverbank at Shringverpur and other ghats along the Ganga and Yamuna was an attempt to prevent more such photographs of the graves – which had gone viral on social media and made headlines in the past week – from going viral again. But this was strongly refuted by officials.
Officials had launched a cleanliness drive along the ghats shortly after photographs and videos of dogs digging out bodies from shallow graves and feeding on them went viral, claimed residents.
Recently, reports of people burying the dead in shallow graves on riverbanks in Prayagraj had made headlines. Many of these bodies were suspected to be of people who had died of Covid, and whose family members didn’t have the money to cremate them.
Subsequently, the district administration fixed the rate of wood and was now extending monetary aid for cremations as per state government’s recent decision.
A few videos and photographs had now emerged in which labourers were seen pulling out the shrouds from the graves at Shringverpur and other ghats, said locals.
Locals at Shringverpur claimed that administrative officials had been inspecting the ghat for the last few days. “On Monday, dozens of labourers were engaged to remove the shrouds from the graves along with bamboo sticks surrounding them.
All shrouds, bamboo sticks and other items scattered on the sand were collected and burnt at another spot,” they said.
Similarly, a team of Prayagraj Nagar Nigam carried out a drive at Phaphamau Ghat and removed shrouds from the graves along with bamboo sticks, claimed locals.
However, Prayagraj mayor Abhilasha Gupta denied the allegations, saying cleanliness drive at cremation ghats was an ongoing exercise.
“The nagar nigam is carrying out a cleanliness drive at all cremation ghats, which come under its jurisdiction. Shrouds and other cloths were already blown away during a storm, which lashed the region a few days back. Old blankets, pillows, sheets, water bottles and polythene found scattered at the ghats were removed. Traders and residents were asked to maintain cleanliness at the ghats and also keep dustbins,” said the mayor.
“There is no direction from the municipal corporation to subordinates to remove shrouds. The corporation is only maintaining general cleanliness, arranging lights and drinking water facilities at all cremation sites and graveyards in city area,” said Ravi Ranjan, municipal commissioner, Prayagraj.