Tura, Oct 14: After a long legal battle, the election for the executive committee of the “Hindu Shamshan Bhoomi Committee” of Tura will be held on October 19.

The latest development comes based on Meghalaya High Court’s order, which has directed for election to elect the new members of the Executive Committee by secret ballot from amongst the members of the Hindu Community of Tura and adjoining areas.

It also nominated the Superintendent of Police of West Garo Hills, in an unofficial capacity, to function as the Returning Officer, and the District Magistrate in his official capacity is to ensure the peaceful conduct of the elections.

While the election is scheduled to take place on October 19, the counting will be held on October 21, 2024. The polling stations are Tura Govt. College, Hawakhana and Police Public school in Tura Bazar.

Hindu voters from North Tura and South Tura constituencies have to carry their epic card/ Voter ID to cast the vote.

The election will elect the executive committee that includes: president, vice-president, general secretary, secretary, joint secretary, and treasurer/accountant. In addition, 15 executive members will also be appointed.

The Hindu Shamshan Bhoomi Committee has been in existence for many decades and had regular elections to elect a new body every 5-6 years. The last election was to be conducted in the year 2016-17, but it was not held.

With voices rising for elections for a new committee, in 2021, the Tura Municipal Board came on board and conducted elections in 2021, forming an adhoc committee to take over the management of the cremation ground. But the incumbent executive committee rejected the validity of the adhoc committee and filed a case against it in the High Court.

Meghalaya HC has also cancelled the constitution of the adhoc committee.

Meanwhile, the condition of the crematorium ground has deteriorated with no proper management in place. Some of the issues include: Broken Stairs leading to the Cremation Ground, no amenities such as siting arrangements, water dispensers, lack of electricity and public lighting in the cremation area, no toilets facilities, defunct green cremation, and the entire area turning into a jungle.

What Public has to say 

Speaking to Hub News, some members of the public, who did not want to disclose their identity, said, “It’s a shame that an election and court cases for a shamshan ghaat is happening. People should unite and do better for the society rather than playing politics on a sacred place where we cremate our loved ones… Yes, the condition is bad.”

Another person said, “I don’t know if I am going to go to vote on 19th but I have never heard such elections before. I hope people choose the right ones. Cremation ground outside the state are so nicely built, they should take this as an example.”

It is also learnt that a developmental fund of Rs. 45 lakh meant for the crematorium ground had to be returned due to the internal feud in the Hindu Shamshan Bhoomi Committee.

Read: Assam: 5-year-old’s dead body found floating in Buridehing river in Margherita

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