High Court directs Assam govt to set up Electric or LPG crematoriums in all District headquarters

way2barak, Dec.17: In a landmark judgement, the Gauhati High Court has ordered authorities to make all endeavours to set up electric or LPG crematoriums at all District Headquarters of the state. Bijan Chakraborty, the petitioner, issued the appeal in person. The petitioner requested the High Court to issue an order, advising the authorities to carry out steps in establishment of the electric or LPG crematoriums.

The order by the High Court read, “The respondent authorities shall make all endeavours to set up electric/ LPG crematorium at all District Headquarters in the State of Assam, maybe in a phased manner but as expeditiously as possible.” The order by Guwahati High Court stated that, Bijan Chakraborty has taken the Court through the real issues while stating the importance and benefits of electric/LPG crematorium as compared to traditional method of cremation. The petitioner in person, attracted the attention on how traditional method of the cremation process affects the environment. The trees are destroyed and damaged because of it.

The order copy listed added, “The petitioner relied upon the averments made in the petition and asserted that as is found in other States of India, the State of Assam also owes a duty to protect the environment and safeguard the forest and wildlife as, according to Mr Bijan Chakraborty, the petitioner-in-person, because of the traditional method of cremation, ultimately trees are destroyed and damaged.”

D Saikia, the Advocate General of Assam submitted that the Director of Municipal Administration, Assam, will make endeavour to establish an electric/ LPG crematorium at every District Headquarters of the State of Assam in a phased manner.