KANPUR: There was panic among locals of Hamirpur district in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday when they spotted seven dead bodies floating in the Yamuna, amid news of several casualties taking place due to Covid-19.
The incident came to light after a video of multiple bodies floating in the Yamuna in Hamirpur went viral on social media. Though ASP, Hamirpur, Anoop Kumar, did not rule out foul play, he said many families in villages still believe in ‘jal samadhi’ (immersion of body in river) and prefer it over cremation in some cases as per their beliefs. A probe is under way, he added. “We have contacted police in Kanpur Outer and Kanpur Dehat areas. Two bodies were brought from Kanpur in tractors and immersed in the river. We have apprised the two districts and have intensified vigil in the area,” said Kumar.