Remaining unperturbed over the State Government countering his body excavation demand by invoking Geological Survey of India strictures for scientific excavation, Haridwar MP and former Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said CM Rawat must explain the details of the technique he had alluded to.
“This kind of logic resorted to by the CM is a deceptive subterfuge to defer the excavation to dig out the skeletal remains of those buried during the great 2013 deluge. But we would not allow him to dodge his responsibility by invoking such vague logic,” he said.
Making it clear that he would continue to cross swords with the State Government over the ‘emotive’ issue, he said the CM skirting it amounts to rub salt on the festering wounds of those who had lost their kith and kin during the calamity. “They want the Government to dig out the bodies of their near ones remaining buried in the heaps of rubble around Kedarnath shrine,” the BJP leader said, adding that the mortal remains of those who perished must be handed to their relations for cremation.
“The nation owes an explanation from him what steps he is taking to excavate such bodies remaining entrapped in the debris for two years,” he added. He reiterated that several bodies are lying still buried under the debris around Kedarnath temple. “The priests have retrieved two bodies from near the shrine recently,” he said.
Referring to his recent visit to Kedarnath, Dr Nishank said that the local people are distressed with the State Government neither allowing them to go inside their houses nor are they being permitted to retrieve bodies buried under the rubble of their damaged houses. “I have also seen how public money has been squandered away. The people are angry. Unless the Government takes note and act appropriately the smouldering anger might erupt into major conflagration,” he warned.
Reiterating his stance that he would quit as the MP if his claim of bodies remaining entrapped under the debris is nullified, he said: “With the dare being thrown, the State Government is inventing scientific means to scuttle things.”
Referring to a recent statement made by Rudraprayag district SP about receipt of bodies from Kedar valley, Nishank asked the CM to explain it. “While the mining mafias are being allowed to dig 40/50 ft by using pokeland machine the State Government is stonewalling demands to dig mere four feet to retrieve human remains,” he said.