Body cremated along Tiddim road as Govt acquires cremation ground for road expansion
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 26 2015: A body was cremated along Sega Road (Tiddim Road) on Thursday as the traditional cremation ground of the locality was acquired by the Government for road expansion.

Sources informed Hueiyen Lanpao that the local residents of Konjeng Hajari Leikai have been sharing the space as the traditional cremation ground with the residents of Hodam Leirak Machin since a long time.

However, after the acquisition of land by the Government for road expansion, the residents of Konjeng Hajari Leikai particularly, have been finding it difficult to perform the last rites of their near and dear ones as a little portion of the cremation ground could not be used by them due to the complications created as a result of not providing an alternative space.

Body cremated along Tiddim road as Govt acquires cremation ground for road expansion

Sources said that on Thursday local residents of Konjeng Hajari Leikai took the body of the deceased for performing the last rites at the portion of the land left by the government within the traditional cremation ground at around 10.30 am.

However, due to a dispute over the small portion of land, there was a stand off between the residents of Konjeng Hajari Leikai and Hodam Leirak side.

It was further informed that the last rites of the person could not be performed within the precincts of the small land as tension prevailed between residents of Konjeng Hajari Leikai and Hodam Leirak side.

A woman from Hodam Leirak side protested against performing the last rites and sat above the funeral pyre meant for the last rites of the deceased, added the source.

Sensing the brewing tension, a team of Imphal West Police rushed to the spot.

However, both the sides claimed to be the owner of the piece of land and produced High Court orders and other related documents to back up their claims.

Since an immediate amicable solution could not be worked out, the last rites were performed on the Tiddim Road.

One source also informed that most of the traditional cremation grounds used by both Hindu and Meetei religion followers in Manipur are not owned by anyone or the residents are not issued land Pattas.

People of the State have been performing the last rites since time immemorial without any disturbances from the authorities.

However, since the Government began acquiring these lands without alternative arrangements, residents of localities are left to arrange their own spaces for the funeral.

With regard to the current issue, a source also said that Guuhati High Court on November 26, 2007 ruled that the CS Dag No 206 under 42-Keishamthong is the cremation space for residents of Konjeng Hajari Leikai.

However, on June 30 last, the Imphal West Court's order asked the parties to maintain status-quo till the next order comes up.

A resident of Konjeng Hajari Leikai told Hueiyen Lanpao, "It is unfortunate that now people do not have a place to perform last rites of family members.

Government should look into the matter at the earliest.

People cannot be requested to stop from dying until a place for cremation is being arranged.

District Magistrate should intervene and arrange a proper space for cremation for the residents so that people do not have to cremate bodies on roads.

There will be many unwanted situations if the government fails to look into the matter at the earliest" .