Half burnt already used firewood provided to cremate other deceased at Silchar crematorium!

Feb. 10: When at a time the state government has been playing all out knock to apprehend those involved in unholy syndicate, another disturbing incident came to light highlighting serious corruption engulfing people even after their death.

An allegation was levied against those who are involved in the management of Silchar Crematorium (Shamshan Ghat) wherein it was stated that already used half-burnt firewood used for cremating others were resold later on to be used to cremate others. Alleging this, one Arnab Kar, a resident of Silchar took to his Facebook wall on Thursday evening also shared images of pyre at Silchar crematorium in support of his claim. He further stated that when the issue was brought to the notice of those who supply firewood there replaced the half-burnt firewood with fresh ones.

Arnab Kar wrote, “Went to Silchar Shamshan Ghat today..it was really shocking to learn that the cremation pyre which was supposed to be of fresh woods was of burnt woods and bamboos, which was already used for some other cremation. After complaining, they replaced the same. But is this what common people deserved? Request administration to look in to this and do the proper investigation….Please share this post and get some higher authority involved.”

In his post, the citizen raised a very serious issue of concern and urged upon the administration to take a serious note of this matter. He has tagged his post with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, DC Cachar, MLA Dipayan Chakraborty & MP Dr Rajdeep Roy.

Reacting to this allegation, Sashan Supervisor, Raju Ashramir instantly denied this as totally baseless. He said, “These allegations does not hold any good. The firewood for funeral pyre is sold by the supplier to deceased party and then the pyre is set up in front of them. So there arises no question of providing half-burnt wood.” He, however, added that sometimes when the woods are wet, the fire is not properly lit in the pyre, so at that time, the staff who does the cremation work adds a few pieces of dry wood which remains (but not half-burnt) to enable the pyre burn properly.”

Expressing his views, Tamal Kanti Banik, former Chairman of Silchar Municipal Board (SMB) said, “Actually, the SMB calls for open tender for supply of firewood at the crematorium. At present, those supplying firewood were given the tender during the previous BJP-led Board headed by the then Chairman Niharenra Narayan Thakur. During his tenure, they did not conduct necessary checks and balance to ensure that firewood was supplied there as per specification mentioned in the tender order. With the expiry of the previous Board, the Municipality is run by an administrator appointed by the district administration, who too has not done any checking of the quality of firewood supplied at the crematorium. The allegation by the gentleman Arnab Kar is quite serious and such an unethical way of functioning by the suppliers should immediately be stopped. The deceased deserves respect. Even this is against Hindu religious practices. Such type of activities must stop immediately.”