Residents of Chausa village in Buxar woke up to a macabre sight of dead bodies of suspected Covid patients floating in the Ganga near Mahadeva Ghat on Monday.

"The bodies are of people infected with Covid-19. Since morning, I have seen more than 30-35 bodies myself. Some people immersed the bodies in the river, while others disposed of half-burnt bodies in the water," a man covering his face with a piece of cloth told reporters at Chausa`s Mahadev Ghat on Monday.

Some locals attributed the dumping of bodies in the river to the high cost of organizing cremations as more money is being charged for Covid deaths.

Another local, who refused to be identified, said residents of villages along the river bank are scared about getting infected. "The situation is dangerous. More than 150 infected bodies are floating in the river. People of areas like Katgharwa, Kamharia and Chausa, among others, are in shock and fear. They are frightened to even come for funerals at this ghat," he said.
Buxar DM Aman Samir said in a press statement that an investigation has found about 30 dead bodies in the Ganga that were three to four days old and were not from Buxar district.

"The villagers told the investigation team comprising Buxar SDPO and SDO that the bodies are not local and have floated down from elsewhere in a day or two. It is clear that the bodies have come floating in the river from the neighbouring state," the DM said, adding, instructions have been issued to intensify river patrolling.
"Instructions have also been issued to take punitive actions against anyone found disposing of mortal remains in the river," the DM said.

The DM said the funeral of the unidentified bodies would be done after autopsy as per rituals and the expenses will be borne by the state government.

Meanwhile, Prem Swaroopam, executive officer of Buxar Municipal Council, told a news channel that a probe has been initiated into people "dumping bodies" in the river. "We have formed three teams to stop people from dumping dead bodies in the river. We have also received guidelines from the government that the cremation of dead bodies of Covid positive people will be done free of cost by the government," he said.

Later in the evening, Buxar sub-divisional magistrate KK Upadhyay said the cremation process has begun. He added that he went to the neighbouring Ghazipur district in Uttar Pradesh and found several bodies floating in the river there as well.

"Already 12 of at least 30 have been cleared and buried so far. Altogether five officials are working 24X7 to clear the decomposed bodies. The district administration has also made available light and generator set at Mahadev Ghat," the SDM said

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