Author:
Publication: The New Indian Express
Date: March 25, 2010
URL:    http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2010/mar/25/body-cremated-on-panchayat-office-premises-142143.html

The residents of Kunnukara on Wednesday witnessed a unique cremation when the body of Kochomal, 85, a member of the scheduled caste community, was cremated on the premises of Kunnukara panchayat office. Kochomal Theckanath House, Harijan Colony, Kunnukara, had died on Wednesday morning.

The cremation was conducted on a pyre set on the premises of the panchayat office with the support of activists of the Hindu Aikya Vedi, Bharatheeya Party Jana Samajam (BPJS) and the Kerala Pulaya Maha Sabha (KPMS).

Earlier, an attempt by relatives of the deceased to cremate the body at the Kuruppantekulam crematorium failed when police officials led by SP T Vikram and Revenue Department officials led by ADM Mohandas Pillai prevented them, citing a High Court order banning the use of the crematorium.

The Kuruppantekulam crematorium was constructed using funds provided by the Kunnukara panchayat in 1988. The Court had issued the order on a petition filed by Shamsudeen and Pathrose, whose houses are located within 50 metres of the crematorium, a few years ago.

Following the order, the District Collector had reportedly directed the petitioners and the others concerned to settle the issue amicably.

"The Revenue Department has taken initiatives to acquire the properties owned by Shamsudeen and Pathrose in a bid to settle the issue, which is in the final stages," panchayat secretary Appu said.

It was after they were denied permission to cremate the body in the crematorium Kochomal's relatives and activists of the organisations took the body to the panchayat office.

The pyre was lit by Kochomal's son Krishnankutty and grandchildren at 11 a.m in the presence a number of police personnel and Revenue Department officials.

Meanwhile, shops and other business establishments in Kunnukara remained closed on Wednesday afternoon, following a hartal called by the Hindu Aikya Vedi, BPJS and the KPMS in protest against the partisan attitude of the government and the panchayat authorities.

Panchayat president P J Varghese said that the entire incident was unfortunate and it could have been avoided if the police and Revenue Department officials were a little more alert.

The doors and windows of the panchayat office had to be closed in order to prevent smoke from the pyre from entering the office. The police have been directed to take steps to remove the remains of the pyre.

Meanwhile, the panchayat authorities have lodged a complaint with the police, who reportedly have promised to register a case in connection with the incident.