Kamal Ghorui
Gumla: The body of a woman was cremated at the Sithio river ghat under tight security on Friday after tension erupted between two groups over the funeral route.As the body of Punia Devi, a resident of Sithio village, was being taken to the crematorium, members of the Sarna community from Serenghatu village allegedly obstructed the funeral procession, refusing to allow the body to pass through their village. Following the obstruction, residents of Sithio village blocked the Lohardaga–Bero state highway in protest.Lohardaga deputy commissioner Kumar Tarachand, superintendent of police Sadique Anwar Rizvi, sub-divisional officer Amit Kumar, along with other police personnel, intervened and ensured the funeral procession proceeded along the same route.The last rites were performed under the supervision of the district administration.“The situation is fully under control, though we are keeping a close watch,” said Tarachand.
