Disposing off bodies in Kedar Valley might be delayed a little as the Home Department has made filling of proper panchnama (inquest) of each body mandatory before its cremation.
This might stretch the wait for kin desperate to know about their missing relatives.
A senior official, who doesn’t wish to be quoted, said, “Usually, Panchnama of the body is required in case of suspicious death. It is carried out in presence of a Magistrate. This is an open secret that people were killed in natural calamity.”
He further added, “Among most of the dead bodies, which could be reportedly around 500-700, lying in between Kedarnath and Rambara, several have decomposed. Some of the bodies are so decomposed that they could not be shifted even a bit from the spot. The officials on duty to cremate the bodies after collecting their identification, photograph and DNA may cremate at least 50-60 bodies in a day. But if proper panchanama is done, it would take a little more time.”
The officer further said that for the Panchnama, presence of at least SHO or magistrate rank officer is required.
“As it is difficult to stand there for more than an hour at a stretch due to emanating stench, it would be difficult for them to complete the Panchnama at a stretch. Instead of this, they should be asked to collect the identity of bodies and DNA sample before cremating the bodies.”
An official said, “It takes around 30 minutes to collect the identification mark of a body and DNA sample. The state of decaying bodies is turning from bad to worse. Any marks on the bodies cannot be identified due to decay.