Date:17/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/17/stories/2007081761270400.htm

Tamil Nadu

Residents back compound wall work at cremation ground

Special Correspondent

Burning of bodies causes problems to motorists, residents
Fencing work is only to protect the cremation ground

TAMBARAM: Scores of residents of Madipakkam extended their support by providing “protection” to workers engaged in the construction of a compound wall around a cremation ground on Madipakkam-Velachery Link Road.

The cremation ground has been a bone of contention between residents of Madipakkam village panchayat and Ullagaram-Puzhuthivakkam Municipality besides administrators of the two local bodies. Cremation of bodies is conducted at the ground located close to the link road.

In the absence of a fence around it, burning of bodies causes problems to motorists and residents nearby.

On Thursday morning, workers engaged by the Madipakkam panchayat began work on constructing a compound wall around the ground. But a group, allegedly from the neighbouring Ullagaram, tried to prevent the work.

In response about 200 people from Madipakkam, including members of the Cremation Ground Protection Committee, came to the spot and said they would ensure that the fencing work was completed.

Madipakkam panchayat authorities said that about Rs. 2 lakhs was spent to raise an eight-foot-tall compound wall around the ground to prevent problems here from spilling on to neighbouring areas.

They said the cremation ground was a common facility for both Ullagaram and Madipakkam areas for long. The fencing work was not to prevent any one section from using it, but only to protect it, they added.