CSI Vellore seeks new cemetery due to lack of space, more virus deaths

The increasing number of COVID-19 deaths and locals objecting to such bodies being buried in designated cemeteries due to their proximity to residential areas has resulted in the diocese seeking fresh ground.

“I sent a request to the CM when he came to Vellore for the Parliament elections following which I was called to Chennai. I explained the issue to him and he said he would do the needful,” Nithyanandam said.

The present cemetery at toll gate was gifted by American missionaries, as also land for CMC hospital and Christian Counselling Centre (CCC) when they left India, it was said.

Today this cemetery is full and “hence we are forced to use the facility at Burnesepuram in Katpadi which means the hearse and those accompanying it will have to trek nearly 10 kilometres, church officials revealed.

“Another issue is that as the cemetery is near habitations, locals look at funeral processions with suspicion wondering whether the person died naturally or due to COVID,” they added.

Vellore AIADMK urban district secretary SRK Appu who volunteered to help the diocese said, “collector Shanmuga Sundaram has ordered revenue officials to search and locate land for this purpose. As of now available land is at Karigiri village behind VIT university.”

Asked whether it was not too far from town, Appu said, “government land value in Karigiri is around Rs 100 per square foot whereas it is Rs 2000 per square foot in Vellore town. As the diocese plans to purchase the land from government, this would be the ideal location.”

Reiterating this, Nityanandam said, “we need land immediately for burials and hence do not mind even if it is outside town.”

However for those in Vellore interior areas like Saidapet it will mean a stiff 15 kilometre trek to ensure their dear departed really rests in peace.