Following a string of complaints of dead bodies being dumped in rivers in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar due to a suspicion of COVID-19 contamination, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday (May 14) ordered patrols by the Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC).
The chief minister directed the SDRF and the PAC to patrol rivers and ensure that bodies are not thrown in them.
The order comes after hundreds of floating bodies were discovered in Ghazipur’s Ganga.
“All those who have died deserve to be cremated with dignity. The state government has already approved funds for the execution of the last rites “Adityanath was mentioned.
“No one should be permitted to dispose of bodies in rivers for religious reasons,” he said.
The CM went on to say that “rivers get poisoned due to human and animal bodies,” and that his government is conducting a river cleaning program.
He mentioned that in riverbank areas, committees comprised of rural development officers and village heads should be established to ensure that no bodies are dumped in rivers.
He said that if necessary, a fine could be levied at the local level to deter it.
The government has recently come under fire from the opposition over the issue.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a Congress chief, had previously requested a judicial investigation led by a High Court judge, claiming that what is happening is inhumane and illegal.
Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, has also said that the UP government must be kept responsible for disappointing its citizens.
