Bodies found buried along ghats in Prayagraj
PRAYAGRAJ: Hundreds of bodies buried in shallow sand graves at cremation ghats on riverbanks were found in Prayagraj on Sunday.
The graves, hundreds in number, many covered with clothes and surrounded with bamboo sticks to mark the place, were visible at Shrivengpur ghat, Arail, Jhunsi, and near Covid and non-Covid cremation ghats at Phaphamau.
Some were also seen close to Sangam area, while a few visible even from the Phaphamau Bridge, making up a scary scenario, confirmed locals.
Though the practice of burying bodies on riverbanks existed for years, locals say that most of the fresh and shallow graves are of the people who died of Covid during last few days, and their kin buried them as they did not have money to meet cremation costs, especially the price of the wood which has gone up recently owing to the increased demand. Swinging into action, the district administration and police are now taking steps to ensure that bodies are properly cremated, and no one buries them in the sand on riverbanks.
Teams of water police are patrolling in motorboats to check that people are not immersing bodies of their kin in rivers. While many teams were found inspecting different cremation ghats, a few were engaged in making announcements not to bury bodies under any circumstances; else action will be taken against them.
“Do not dispose bodies in rivers. We will help you perform the last rites,” a team of police officials were seen announcing using portable loudspeakers with microphones.
Officials have also made arrangements for free cremation of bodies of Covid patients who have no money to pay for the last rites. “A sum of Rs 5,000 will be given to kin of dead persons who are facing difficulties in paying the cost of cremation,” an official said.
Locals said people were forced to bury bodies after recent spurt in deaths due to corona prompted the persons responsible for providing wood and other items for cremation to overcharge the relatives of the dead persons.
IG range KP Singh said authorities had earmarked a cremation ground for those who died of Covid-19 on the Prayagraj riverbank, and the police were no longer allowing any burials on the riverfront.
SP Crime Ashutosh Mishra said a team of Jal Police had been deployed to keep an eye at the ghats and stop people from immersing bodies of their kin in the river.