Hindu, Khasi, Jaintia community members decide to share cremation facilities
Shillong, July 30: Some members of Hindu, Khasi and Jaintia communities have agreed to share cremation facilities following a Meghalaya High Court initiative in this regard even as the court ordered more deliberations among communities to consider common cremation grounds.
The high court directed a committee constituted by the chief secretary to convene and hold further meetings to resolve disputes related to crematoria and cemetery facilities for various communities in the state.
“We direct the Committee to convene and hold more meetings and arrive at a decision,” the division bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh said in its order after hearing a PIL on Wednesday.
The court also directed the committee to explore this option further and consider acquiring land for cremation purposes if necessary.
The bench has noted division between Hindus and Khasi-Jaintia communities regarding sharing of crematoria, and the shortage of burial space for members of the Christian community, who are spread across various denominations with their own cemeteries.
To address these issues, it has appointed an Amicus Curiae to facilitate dialogue between stakeholders, including government officials.
The Amicus Curiae informed the court that a meeting has been held and more meetings are likely to be held soon to resolve the dispute.
“We are told by the Amicus Curiae that some members of the Hindu, Khasi and Jaintia communities have agreed to share a common cremation ground. He further submits that if others can be persuaded to follow this, nothing could be better. Otherwise, the Committee might consider acquiring land for cremation purpose also,”the bench stated.
The committee, comprising selected stakeholders, has been tasked with arriving at a decision on the sharing of crematoria and cemetery facilities.
The court has asked the amicus curiae to file a short report on the progress made by the committee.
The PIL has been listed for further hearing on August 14, to ascertain the position and review the committee’s progress.
