Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Aug 16: In a remote region in North Andaman is a story of how even the dead suffer due to official apathy in these islands. Pokadera in Mayabunder, the headquarter region of the North and Middle Andaman District, has two Graveyards and a Crematorium. But for lack of an approach road, residents of the region suffer countless miseries performing the final rites of their loved ones.
According to reports, both the Graveyards and the Crematorium are located close to the sea shore and atleast one dead body is either cremated or buried every day. However, due to the lack of the approach road, residents accompanying their near and dear ones during the last journey are forced to wade through waist deep waters during high tides to reach the location. Even transporting the wood for the funeral pyre has become an onerous task as rains drench the firewood posing all sorts of problems for residents performing the final rituals.
“The two Graveyards and the Crematorium at Pokadera cater to a huge population in Mayabunder and adjoining areas. But devoid of a proper approach, residents face a traumatic time in performing the final rites of the deceased. As the sites are located close to the shore, high tides inundate the katcha path and villagers face a tough time negotiating the stretch. To add to the woes, rains drench the firewood needed for the funeral pyre and it takes hours to set the pyre on fire. The residents have been facing the trouble for years and respite still remains far from sight. The District Administration should take immediate steps to construct an approach road to the Graveyards and Crematorium,” said some residents speaking to Andaman Sheekha.
