PONDA, Feb. 9 -- Team Herald

The issue of crematoriums for Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities residing near forest areas dominated the discussions at Curti-Khandepar Gram Sabha.

Heated arguments ensued which prompted the Sarpanch Abhijeet Gaude to step in and advise the members to discuss the matters in detail and submit proposals for identifying suitable land for the crematoriums.

While discussing the OPA-Khandepar crematorium, Gaude informed the sabha that two years ago, the ST community was prohibited from performing final rites at the existing crematorium. Following this, some local residents approached the ST and SC Commissioner, who visited the site. The Commissioner instructed the community to propose a 2000-square-metre plot of ...