Balasore: Nothing can be more disrespectful to the dead, than denying them proper funeral. A glaring example of such disrespect to the dead has come to fore from near a crematorium in Balasore where human corpses are dumped like garbage.
Situated near Nunia Jodi Bridge on the outskirts of Balasore, the Mukti Dwara crematorium has become a place for stray dogs and other scavengers like jackals who feed on the bodies dumped in a huge pit dug for burial. As per locals, the practice of throwing the dead bodies in the crematorium has been followed for last several years.
Crematorium staff claim that most bodies dumped in the burial ground are unclaimed and unidentified ones that are recovered by police.
Arun Kumar Kar, a member of the Mukti Dwara crematorium said a pit has been dug in the area which is used for dumping the bodies. It serves well for scavengers and many people also take bones from the area for manufacturing pesticides, he added.
Experts say that once police recover body of any unidentified person, it should ensure preservation of the corpse and keep it for claimants for some days. But if no one turns up to claim, the bodies should be cremated with honour. But if that is not possible, at least the bodies should be disposed off in a proper manner.
Former councillor of Balasore, Biswajit Das said that despite complaints on multiple occasions, neither the administration nor the police have been able to find a solution to the problem.
Many have also criticized the local authorities for taking the matter lightly and not implementing new ways to conduct the last rites of the dead people.
“First of all we must never disrespect the dead by throwing the body out in the open. Secondly, whatever the case, officials who find the dead bodies must ensure that due procedure is followed by using government funds provisioned for performing last rites,” said Dr Santanu Das, a local resident.
Balasore ADM Sambit Nayak said steps will be taken to find a feasible solution to the problem.
However, no comments could be obtained from the police in connection with the matter.