Daijiworld Media Network - Vaishali

Vaishali, Jan 30: In a shocking incident highlighting administrative apathy, a 91-year-old Mahadalit woman was cremated in the middle of a road in Bihar’s Vaishali district after her family was prevented from reaching the cremation ground due to encroachment on the access path.

The incident occurred late on Thursday at Sondho Andhari Gachhi Chowk under the jurisdiction of Goroul police station. The deceased was identified as Jhapi Devi, a resident of Sondho Vasudev village.

According to family members, they were taking Jhapi Devi’s body to the cremation ground when they found the approach road completely blocked. It was alleged that local shopkeepers had encroached upon the land leading to the crematorium for a long time. When the family attempted to proceed, they were stopped by the encroachers.

Despite repeated efforts to find an alternate route, the family was unable to reach the cremation ground and was left with no option but to light the funeral pyre at a road intersection and perform the last rites there.

Upon receiving information, a police team from Goroul police station reached the spot but allegedly remained mute spectators for several hours, drawing sharp criticism from local residents.

Villagers claimed that the path to the cremation ground had been blocked for a long time, causing repeated hardship, and despite multiple complaints, the administration had failed to take corrective action.

As news of the incident spread, people from nearby villages gathered at the site and protested against the cremation being carried out on the road.

Taking serious note of the matter, Vaishali district magistrate Varsha Singh constituted a committee comprising the sub-divisional officer of Mahua, the deputy superintendent of police and the block development officer of Goroul to inquire into the incident. She stated that strict action would be taken against those found guilty.

Meanwhile, acting on the district magistrate’s directive, the salaries of the block development officer, circle officer and station house officer of Goroul have been withheld.

“This is a serious incident. The district administration has taken serious note of the matter and ordered an inquiry. Further action will be taken after receiving the report,” the district magistrate told the media.