Tribals stir over lack of burial ground | Bhubaneswar News
Jharsuguda: Residents of Gariadihi village staged a demonstration outside the Jharsuguda collectorate on Friday, protesting the lack of a cremation ground after NLC India Ltd acquired their traditional burial land.
The protest was triggered after villagers were unable to perform the last rites of Madhav Kishan (52).
“Despite NLC’s promises of providing all necessary facilities after our displacement, we’re now struggling to perform funeral rites,” said Santosh Kishan, nephew of the deceased. The tribal community, which practices burial rather than cremation, has been requesting a designated cremation ground for the past 15 months.
Responding to the situation, district land acquisition officer Binay Kumar Patel said, “We have already identified 80 decimal land in R&R colony for the purpose, including plans for a separate pond. Understanding the community’s specific needs, we will identify additional land within 500 metres for their traditional burial practices.”
Following written assurances from Patel, the protesters dispersed peacefully. The deceased was later laid to rest at the newly identified land in R&R colony of NLC.
The protest was triggered after villagers were unable to perform the last rites of Madhav Kishan (52).
“Despite NLC’s promises of providing all necessary facilities after our displacement, we’re now struggling to perform funeral rites,” said Santosh Kishan, nephew of the deceased. The tribal community, which practices burial rather than cremation, has been requesting a designated cremation ground for the past 15 months.
Responding to the situation, district land acquisition officer Binay Kumar Patel said, “We have already identified 80 decimal land in R&R colony for the purpose, including plans for a separate pond. Understanding the community’s specific needs, we will identify additional land within 500 metres for their traditional burial practices.”
Following written assurances from Patel, the protesters dispersed peacefully. The deceased was later laid to rest at the newly identified land in R&R colony of NLC.
