An elderly Dalit woman was cremated on a public road in Bihar’s Vaishali district after her family was allegedly stopped from accessing the village cremation ground, triggering outrage and tension in the area.
The incident took place on Thursday at Sontho Andhari village under the Goraul police station limits. The woman, identified as Jhapki Devi, 95, belonged to a Mahadalit family. According to locals and police, when her family tried to take her body to the cremation ground, some people blocked the route, leaving the family with no option but to perform the last rites on the road.
Family members and residents said the obstruction has been a long-standing issue. “Every time we take a body for cremation, the way is blocked. This has happened earlier too, but no permanent solution was given,” said a local resident from Manjhi Tola, expressing anger over repeated denial of access.
As tensions rose, the funeral procession stopped at Andhari Gachi Chowk, where the body was placed on a pyre in front of a Shiva temple and cremated on the road. Angry villagers alleged that the pathway from the main road to the cremation ground has been encroached upon by local landowners.
Police and administrative officials later reached the spot. A fire brigade vehicle was called to extinguish the pyre, and the road was cleaned after the cremation. Public representatives who arrived at the scene were reportedly chased away by protesting villagers, who accused the administration of ignoring their complaints for years.
Vaishali Superintendent of Police Vikram Sihag said the issue arose due to the absence of a clear path. “Earlier, there was a route to the cremation ground, but some people built a temple on that path. Due to the lack of access, the family carried out the cremation on the road,” he said. He added that discussions were held with local officials and that arrangements would be made to restore access to the cremation ground. “The situation is currently under control,” the SP said.
Block Development Officer Pankaj Kumar Nigam and Circle Officer Divya Chanchal said the area has been cleared and the matter is being investigated. “All aspects will be examined, and steps will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” they said.
