This story is from May 13, 2021

Bodies buried in sand along Ganga in Unnao

Bodies buried in sand along Ganga in Unnao
(With Pic)
Kanpur: Several human bodies were found buried at the cremation ghat near the banks of the Ganga in Unnao district. The incident came to light after video footage of buried bodies were widely shared on social media on Wednesday.
The bodies were buried at the Rautapur Ganga Ghat in Shuklaganj’s Hajipur area.
Local sources told TOI that the people have started burying the dead at the river bank as there is a shortage of wood for the pyre, besides owing to financial constraint.
“On Wednesday, of the total 16 bodies that were brought to the ghat, nearly 13 were buried in the sand on the banks of the river,” a local priest preferring anonymity told TOI.
The one who is financially sound arranges for a funeral pyre, otherwise most of the bodies are buried in sandbars, he said adding, since the spread of the pandemic, the ghat has witnessed the funeral of nearly 400 bodies.
“Majority among the dead, hailing from nearby villages including Pipri, Landapurwa, Mirzapur, Bhatpurwa, Rajepur and Kanikamau, have been buried by their family members at this ghat,” he said and added, “Prior to the pandemic, the ghat on an average used to witness two to three cremation a day.”

The bodies were buried in sandbars, which are six-foot deep.
“During the rainy season, if the river overflows, then these bodies may be swept by the strong currents downstream in the adjoining villages and spread infection,” rued another villager.
ACM Sadar Satyapriya Singh told reporters that the cremation on the banks of river Ganga is an old age custom. “However, if bodies in large numbers are buried, then it would be investigated,” Singh added.
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