Silchar crematorium at Smashan Road has become a mobile liqour bar, alleges local people in a press meet

May 31: In normal times, around 7 to 8 dead bodies used to be cremated on an average at Silchar crematorium at Smashan Road. However, that number has now become almost double. This has become a major cause of concern for the residents of greater Smashan Road area of Silchar. In a press meet held at Dakhhin Ambicapur Sashan Road Durga Mandap on Sunday, this and various other issues were raised by the local inhabitants of the area.

They alleged that as the number of deaths have increased due to Covid-19 pandemic, the load on Silchar crematorium has also gone up, which results in overall pollution in the neighbourhood. Moreover, though the government has fixed that only 10 persons can accompany a dead body in the crematorium, but rules are flouted almost everyday. A huge crowd in and around the crematorium has also taken for ride the Covid protocol. As a result, an environment of fear is prevailing in the locality. Moreover, they alleged that a major chunk of the people gathers there and engages in drinking. They said that due to the illegal activities of such persons, ‘the way to heaven has become a den of hell.”

It was further alleged in the press meet that many vehicles are parked near the crematorium and people gets involved in consumption of liquor sitting inside these vehicles. But where do they find liquor? To that, the local people who organised the press meet said, “Liquor is sold illegally in this area. It is like an open secret, yet no action is taken by the administration. The overall environment of this locality is now at stake for few persons who comes here for cremation. We are also worried about our children who too witness such anti-social activities in their vicinity everyday.” Allegation was also raised against a shopkeeper of the locality in this connection.

They also raised the demand of a fully electric furnace at Silchar crematorium keeping in mind the high death rate. They further appealed to the district administration to ensure that only the deceased of Silchar area should be allowed to cremate at the Smashan Road crematorium. “Without the positive interference of District administration, it will not be possible to wipe out these concerning issues. Everyday, the area assumes the look of a mobile liquor bar as some people park their vehicles there and indulges in drinking. Is it possible for common people to daily monitor such anti-social activities?” said a local during the press meet.

Present during the press meet were Abhijit Dhar, Dipak Saha, Sudarshan Choudhury, Buddha Bhattacharjee, Jawahar Taran, Gita Debnath, Raja Acharjee, Pushpa Banik, Tublu Debroy among others.