Rehabilitation project on cremation ground

The two-acre cremation ground at Banshtala village in Kaliganj is being filled up for a rehabilitation project. PHOTO: STAR

The cremation ground on the bank of Galghasia river is being filled up with earth. This has created resentment among members of the Hindu community as this is the only place for cremation in the area, local people said.

Alleged occupation of the land has been protested by leaders of Banshtala Mohashshan Sangskar and Unnayan Committee ( committee for reconstruction of Banstala crematorium).

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It's leader Nirapada Ghosh at a press conference at Kaliganj on Saturday demanded shifting of the proposed rehabilitation project to some government lands in the area.

He also sought intervention of the Prime Minister, Land Minister and Religious Affairs Minister to take steps to protect the age old and lone cremation ground in the area.

According to sources, Hindu communities in 26 villages in two unions in the upazila use the cremation ground.

Earlier, clashes took place twice centring felling of trees on the two-acre ground. Bloody clashes may erupt any moment, they said.

It was gathered from local people that there are government lands in the area for the rehabilitation project.

Its lands have been chosen for the rehabilitation project by the Kaligonj Upazila Parishad and the Chairman of Bishnupur Union Parishad, they claimed.

On contact, Kaligonj UNO Sheikh Moniruzzaman said the question of destroying the cremation ground does not arise at all. He claimed that the rehabilitation project is being built on government land.

Bishnupur UP Chairman Mizanur Rahman claimed that the project is being built after discussion with members of the Hindu community. A cremation ground will be built on another place in the area, as agreed upon with Hinhu community people, he claimed while talking to this correspondent.