Muslim Trust moves GHRC over restrictions at cemetery

Team Herald

PANJIM: A Muslim Trust has moved the Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) against a notice issued by the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) seeking to restrict burial of deceased at the St Inez kabrastan to residents of Panjim, Taleigao and St Cruz.

The Azad Jamatul Muslimeen Welfare Trust has sought the Commission’s directions to CCP to allow burial of bodies of persons of the Muslim community at the cemetery from other areas too, till another space is identified.

“CCP is denying/not allowing burying the person of Muslim community who resides outside the limits of the CCP on the pretext of limited space. There is no kabrastan for the Muslims residing in St Cruz, Merces, Bambolim, Curca and Taleigao. It is therefore prayed that CCP be directed to allow burying the bodies of dead persons of Muslim community residing outside the limits of CCP till alternative arrangement is made,” the letter signed by Trust President Sayed Manzoorkedri and Secretary Khatal Dessai said. 

The petition before the GHRC comes following a letter by the CCP to the Jamat UL Muslamin Gansia Sunni Trust to ensure that only bodies of the Muslim community from Panjim, Taleigao and Santa Cruz are buried at the St Inez cemetery.

“The Muslim cemetery at St Inez owned by the Corporation of City of Panjim is to bury only the deceased persons of Panjim who are residents within the CCP limits, Taleigao and Santa Cruz. Due to limited space bodies of Muslim communities from outside these area limits cannot be allowed to be buried in this cemetery/kabrastan,” the letter to the trust stated.