Covid Pyre: After floating bodies found in Bihar, UP, it's now West Bengal on toes

As several floating dead bodies were found in the river Ganga in Bihar and Uttarpradesh amid the pandemic, West Bengal is on heightened vigil as the river flows into the state next

After a large number of bodies were fished out of Ganga in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the West Bengal government asked the Malda district administration to step up vigil along the river for bodies found floating downstream and cremate them in keeping with protocol.

Ganga enters West Bengal through Malda and so surveillance has been increased in the district to restrict the bodies from entering the state.

According to senior government officials, Ganga touches the state at Manikchawk block via Rajmahal in Jharkhand and so measures have been taken to stop the floating bodies near Manikchawk so that it doesn't reach Farakka barrage.

"The river in Manikchawk is wide and so we are trying to restrict it near Gadai island where the river is comparatively narrow. Gadai island is a little away from Manikchawk. It will be easier for us to trace the floating bodies there," a senior district state government official said.

Several boats have been arranged -- near Gadai island of Manikchak block -- to inspect the Ganga from Friday. Police stations adjoining the riverbank in -- Bhutni, Manikchak, Mothabari and Baishnabnagar -- have been alerted as also civil defence volunteers.

"The time of surveillance is yet to be finalized. We are waiting for a nod from the DM. We are announcing for people not to panic. As soon such a body is spotted, it would be recovered and disposed off accordingly," the DM said.

"We are taking all measures but considering the present level and current of water in the Ganga, we think the possibility is remote of bodies flowing in in the next 24 hours," a senior administration official at Manikchawk block said.

The floating bodies attracted government attention after many decomposed and bloated bodies were found floating in the Ganga over the past couple of days, triggering fears among local residents in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh that bodies of Covid victims were being dumped in the river.

While 71 of the bodies have been fished out in Bihar's Buxar district, at least 25 bodies were found in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur district.