The News Minute | January 16, 2015 | 09:33 pm ISTOver a hundred decomposed bodies were reportedly found floating in the Ganga in Unnao, a district in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday. The UP government has ordered a probe into the alarming discovery in the Ganga, near the Periyaar ghat, where bodies are generally cremated."We have conducted DNA sampling of around 81 bodies and the bodies have been buried", Ram Kishun, Additional SP, Unnao, told The News Minute. According to him, it is likely that several of these bodies were buried near the banks of the Ganga, and the force of the water could have opened the graves, thus washing away the bodies with it."Some bodies could have been washed away from other places as well", Kishun said adding that further investigations were on at present. However, no reports at present suggest that the officials suspect any crime. Immersing bodies in the 'holy' Ganga is not a new practice. Often children, unwed girls or those bitten by snakes are given water burials instead of being cremated. Those who cannot afford cremation also resort to this measure, since cremation is an expensive method. Dr B D Tripathi, an expert member of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) and founder coordinator of Centre for Environmental Science and Technology, Banaras Hindu University, however does not buy the theory that all the bodies found, were thrown in the river due to tradition. "Benaras is a holy and religious destination. People often flock here to cremate their loved ones. Annually, around 3000 human bodies and 6000 carcasses of animals are dumped in the Ganga. Which would suggest 8 to 10 bodies being thrown in the river per day. But in Unnao, 104 bodies were found almost together, and the number is too high. I can't believe they were simply thrown into the river. A fair probe needs to be conducted", he asserted. Tripathi also mentioned, that in 1998, the Allahabad High Court had passed an order stating dead bodies should not be disposed in the Ganga. And if any such bodies were found floating in the river, the 'Jal' (water) police should make sure that they are removed from the water. However, local authorities have taken no such measures and there is no compliance with government orders, he feels. The Ganga is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. What effect does dumping human or animal corpses in the river have?Himanshu Thakkar, co-ordinator of South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), explains that some religious scriptures do call for scattering of ashes in the holy river, but only after the body is cremated. "But, simply immersing a body in the river should be considered a crime", Thakkar said. "Immersing dead bodies in the Ganga, increases the pollution load on the river. The water becomes unhygienic and puts to risk anyone who might be using it downstream. Certain harmful organisms thrive in that kind of environment which in turn affects the biodiversity of the river", he stated. Thakkar, is of the opinion, that this practice of throwing bodies in the river, can be changed. "This is a social problem and sooner or later religious institutions will also have to step in and change the mindsets of people. Instead of wood cremation, which is cost-intensive, the use of electric crematoriums should be encouraged", he said. TweetFollow @thenewsminute
