Puri: Already dealing with a grave situation due to Covid-19 pandemic, the Puri administration has decided to further extend the restrictions on people from outside the district to cremate dead bodies at Swargadwar till October 31, 2020.
As per official orders, restriction on observance of the last funeral rites of the deceased belonging to other districts/states at Swargadwar Puri as well as immersion of ashes at Mahodadhi has been extended up to October 31, 2020 in view of the pandemic.
However, those in Puri district coming to perform the last rites of the deceased at Puri Swargadwar Puri and immersion of ashes at Mahodadhi will be allowed to perform the rituals with strict observance of the Covid regulations, as per the earlier order.
This apart, all the Tehsildars-cum-Incident Commanders and the IICs of the respective Police Stations shall have to restrict the movement of vehicle carrying corpse from other districts/ States to Puri Swargadwar in their respective jurisdiction.
Moreover, the Executive Officer of Puri Municipality has been instructed to keep close surveillance in the matter along with strict implementation of the order.
“Due to Swargadwar’s spiritual significance, people from different parts of Odisha and outside the State come here to cremate their loved ones. Under the present circumstances arising out of COVID-19, there is a possibility of cross infection. Hence, we have decided not to allow cremation for bodies coming from outside the district. We understand it is a harsh decision but it is for the protection of all the persons including those coming from outside as well as Puri residents. We urge people to support the administration,” Puri Collector Balwant Singh had said ahead of enforcement of restrictions at Swargadwar.
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