No Covid bodies buried on banks,our teams are on 24X7 vigil: IG

Prayagraj: Strongly refuting reports of increased number of bodies being buried on the banks of the Ganga amid the second wave of Covid-19, inspector general of police (Prayagraj range) K P Singh said on Monday that funeral of all Covid bodies was performed at Phaphamau Ghat and none were buried in the sand.
“We have deployed policemen, Jal Police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) for patrolling of river banks to ensure no bodies are immersed in the Ganga and Yamuna, nor is any body buried in the sand on the river banks. Our teams have been patrolling Chatnaag, Phaphamau and Shringverpur ghats round the clock and keeping strict vigil,” said Singh.
On being asked about burial of bodies on river banks, the IG said “Apart from the tradition of cremation, many sects in Hinduism believe in burial of the dead on banks of holy rivers for salvation.”
“People from different parts of the state and neighbouring states like MP and Bihar often bring bodies for burial on the banks of Ganga at Shringverpur, Chatnaag and Phaphamau ghats as per their tradition,” he added.
However, our teams counsel these people when they come and convince them to perform cremation, telling them that strong winds and waves carry away sand and the bodies of their loved ones lie exposed and are mutilated by animals, the IG added.
“Our teams have also been assisting those who do not have funds for a proper funeral. People are sensitive and they heed on being told that the practice pollutes holy rivers,” he added.
Asked about several buried bodies being spotted on the banks recently, the IG said sand covering the bodies, which were buried two to three months back, were blown away by strong winds and rains.