Community Protests Lead to Crematorium Contract Cancellation in Mirzapur

The Mirzapur district administration has cancelled the crematorium management contract after protests from the Dom and Dharikar communities, who claimed the privatization affected their traditional livelihood. The protests, including a hunger strike, led to the decision. Officials assured locals that traditional cremation practices can continue without interference.

The Mirzapur district administration has officially annulled the management contract for a crematorium following an intense 11-day protest by local Dom and Dharikar communities. These communities, traditionally engaged in cremation work, argued that the privatization severely affected their livelihoods.

Constructed under a central government scheme, the Bhogoan village crematorium had its management outsourced to a private party, who imposed charges for each body brought for cremation. This sparked unrest among the locals, who protested the decision by staging a hunger strike.

An official letter from Surendra Kumar Verma, additional chief officer of the Zila Panchayat, confirmed the contract cancellation. This decision was further supported by Sub-divisional Magistrate (Sadar) Asharam Verma, who assured the villagers that they could continue their traditional cremation practices. Meanwhile, Zila Panchayat Chairman Rajiv Kanaujiya defended the bidding process but acknowledged the community's dissatisfaction with outsourcing the management.

(With inputs from agencies.)