At least 96 unidentified bodies have been 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-19 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.
While authorities in both districts are yet to confirm if the bodies were of COVID victims, saying samples have been sent for tests, police in Buxar said they suspected the bodies may have floated in from Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh.
The central government has taken serious note of the issue, with Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday seeking an investigation by both states.
“Floating bodies in Ganga in Buxar, Bihar is unfortunate. It is surely a matter of investigation. (Narendra) Modi government is committed to maintaining piety and continuity of mother Ganga. States (Bihar and UP) concerned must take cognizance of the matter immediately,” he tweeted.
Surjitt Sahani
