MAPUSA
The Bastora panchayat convened an urgent meeting and took various decisions on Monday, after a video of the crematorium committee opposing the cremation of a person who died from Covid complications had gone viral on Sunday.
Later speaking to reporters, Bastora Sarpanch Ranjeet Usgaonkar said the incident was discussed by the panch members and a number of decision were passed. Panchas Rajesh Pirankar, Sunita Lotlikar, local Vishwas Kandolkar and others were present for the meeting.
“A new committee for the crematorium will be selected, while permission will be granted for the final rites of all bodies, irrespective of the cause of death. Besides, the unfortunate incident on Sunday will not be allowed to be repeated,” said Usgaonkar.
The sarpanch clarified that neither the panchayat nor the locals had taken any decision to object to the cremation of bodies.
“The crematorium committee has not been active for many years. The family of the deceased probably misinterpreted the crematorium caretaker, who had merely stated that he does not have the keys.’
“The entire incident will be reported to Bardez deputy collector," said Sarpanch Usgaonkar.
A local, Vishwas Kandolkar, said the locals had suggested the formation of a new crematorium committee.
“Till the formation of this new committee, the crematorium will be managed directly by the panchayat,” he said.
It may be recalled that on Sunday, relatives of a resident of Bastora, who died of Covid-19 complications, were forced to cremate the body in Mapusa after they were disallowed to perform the last rites in the Bastora crematorium for fear of contagion.
The kin and well-wishers of the victim blamed the Bastora panchayat for rejecting the funeral of the Covid patient in the village crematorium.
The incident went viral and provoke widespread condemnation, with some calling it a violation of basic human rights.
Around 12 days ago, a relative of a former sarpanch of Bastora, who also died due to Covid infection, was denied cremation in the village crematorium. That body was later also cremated in Mapusa.
