Mirzapur Police dumping unclaimed bodies in Ganga River, instead of proper cremation

The inhuman face of the state police was bared when an unclaimed dead body was tied to a heavy stone and then thrown in Ganga River. The incident took place within the jurisdiction of Kotwali Katra police station in Mirzapur district.

Instead of properly cremating the body, which costs only Rs. 50, the police personnel wrapped it in a white cloth and threw into the river.

However, this is not the sole instance. The police have thrown several bodies in the river, in the past as well. Suraj, who helps the police in throwing the body into the river, says he has so far drowned 10 unclaimed bodies in the same way. "The police station gets Rs. 2,700 every month for cremation of unclaimed bodies, but the amount is not spent on it. They (cops) ask me to throw the bodies, saying they will tackle if anyone raise objection," he revealed.

On camera, a policeman and a rickshaw-puller are seen carrying a dead body wrapped in a white sheet to the ghats of river Ganga. They then tie its legs with a rope and abandon it in the water. The footage, filmed by local media in Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh, led to a constable being suspended.

Constable Gulab Singh, said in his defense, "we are just following the instructions of the senior inspector who asked us to get rid of this body."

The Ganga flows through the heart of this city, 100 kms from Allahabad.

For the last few weeks, bodies have been washing up on the river banks, prompting local reporters to investigate.

The picture that is emerging is that of corrupt policemen exploiting a government scheme that provides Rs. 2700 for the cremation of any homeless person in the state.

Instead of last rites being performed, the bodies are being abandoned in the river.

Sanjay, a rickshaw-puller, makes his living by ferrying dead bodies from the mortuary of the local state-run hospital to the ghats along the river banks. He usually gets paid Rs. 500 per. For homeless or unclaimed bodies, he says, he is offered Rs. 50. "I'll give another Rs. 200 to the boatman," he says. "We are doing this on the instructions of the inspector, who asks us to get rid of the bodies."

Senior police officials refused to comment on the signs of venality in a ritual meant to endow some dignity and humanity on those who have died without anyone to care for them.

They did not vouchsafe for an inquiry.

Wednesday 14 august 2013

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/UP-up-police-dumping-dead-bodies-in-ganga-river-instead-of-proper-cremation-4347199-PHO.html

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/in-up-cops-caught-on-camera-abandoning-dead-bodies-in-river-406182