Guwahati: In a disturbing video that went viral on Thursday showed decomposed bodies of 14 persons being loaded into a van at a crematorium in broad daylight in southern Kolkata.
The bodies were being dragged into a Kolkata Municipal Corporation van in the Basdroni Police Station area.
Disturbed by the incident, West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar took to Twitter express his pain at the “heartless disposal” of bodies. The incident sparked more fire as it was alleged that the bodies were of COVID-19 patients.
The governor, who was one of the first government officials to react to the video, tweeted, “Anguished ! Share public outrage and deep concern at most unconscionable heart rendering callous dragging of dead bodies reflected in videos. Shocked at state of affairs @MamataOfficial Have sought urgent briefing today from KMC Chairperson and Municipal Commissioner. (1/2)”
Anguished at disposal of dead bodies @MamataOfficial -with heartless indescribable insensitivity. Not sharing videos due to sensitivity.
Have sought an URGENT UPDATE @HomeSecretaryWB
In our society dead body is accorded highest respect-rituals r performed as per tradition(1/3)
— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) June 11, 2020
The governor added that transparent disclosure with regards to the dead bodies needs to be given. “Make transparent disclosure @MamataOfficial as regards dead bodies- when admitted; what treatment given, which hospital, cause of death and importantly Bed Head Ticket. How can human dead bodies be so uncouthly dragged ! It shames humanity. Follow law and protocol for disposal,” he tweeted.
Make transparent disclosure @MamataOfficial as regards dead bodies- when admitted; what treatment given, which hospital, cause of death and importantly Bed Head Ticket.
How can human dead bodies be so uncouthly dragged ! It shames humanity.
Follow law and protocol for disposal
— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) June 11, 2020
Kolkata police, based on a letter by the principal of NRS Medical College, denied any claims of the bodies being that of COVID-19 patients. They tweeted, “West Bengal Health Department has informed that dead bodies were not of COVID patients, but were unclaimed/ unidentified bodies from Hospital Morgue. Legal action is being taken against persons spreading #FakeNews.”
West Bengal Health Department has informed that dead bodies were not of COVID patients, but were unclaimed/ unidentified bodies from Hospital Morgue. Legal action is being taken against persons spreading #FakeNews pic.twitter.com/ENcmUEgY3m
— Kolkata Police (@KolkataPolice) June 11, 2020
Letter by the principal of NRS Medical College
Allegedly, the video was shot outside the Garia crematorium where dis-satisfied locals objected to the cremation of the 14 dead bodies. The entire area was reportedly hit by a stench while the bodies were being moved to the crematorium. When the video was being shot, a man on the background was seen dragging bodies with a pair of tongs back to the van after the local protests had reached the officials concerned.
Yesterday 13 unclaimed dead bodies were brought to the cremation ground, at Garia,Kolkata,West Bengal,India. But the local people objected against this activities.Thus they, who brought the dead bodies, were compelled to take the dead bodies elsewhere. pic.twitter.com/piJ4PbkTPe
— Kalpataru Mandal (@KalpataruManda4) June 11, 2020
Dhankhar again took to Twitter to raise his opinion about the incident and the thread can be accessed here.
Response @HomeSecretaryWB has come. Virtual admission about callous handling of dead bodies promising procedure will be stream lined.
Rather than booking those responsible for such inhuman criminality, police is being misused to ‘teach a lesson’ to those who exposed it.(1/3)
— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) June 11, 2020
We are not a police State. To inject such fear in public is authoritarianism. Repressive measures do not augur well for democracy.
Will be seeking details @MamataOfficial & take to logical end. Muzzling of media or people by police arm twisting will not work anymore.(2/3)
— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) June 11, 2020
Human Rights Activists and Media owe it to people to be proactive by making it a test case.
State cannot be allowed to slide into ‘police state’- deprive its citizens of right under Article 21 of Constitution and virtually eclipse human rights and be repressive.(3/3)— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) June 11, 2020
Given sensitivities of people and wider ramifications it may have, urge @MamataOfficial to be responsive in humane manner. A police action to repress would be hurtful.
In our culture dead bodies have to be accorded highest respect.
Scars of Dhapa and now this SHAME ! (2/2)
— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) June 12, 2020
Calling on the humanitarian sentiments, Dhankhar also tweeted that the issue is not about the bodies being COVID-19 infected but the fact that even after death they were “being treated worse than animals.”
Issue is not whether the dead bodies were Covid ones ! That is matter of probe. Issue-How human bodies can be so shamelessly dragged ! Being treated worse than animals.
To those engaging in diversion – Search your soul and conscience and imagine dead body was related to you !
— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) June 12, 2020