Lack of burial land irks Thane Christian community

The Bombay High Court order to TMC commissioner to decide on regularising the burial of a deceased lady from Thane on church land within four weeks, has got Thane Christian community hopeful. They hope and pray for a positive outcome not only for the woman's family but the entire community.

Last week parishioners of Our lady of mercy church (OLMC) attempted a second burial on the church land which is in residential zone. They had earlier buried ex-servicemen A Rayan Jessiah at the same plot. However, the TMC lodged a police case against them for Jessiah's burial and denied them permission for the second burial.

As a result the parishioner's approached the Bombay high court asked the TMC commissioner to decide on permission within a month under section 320 of the BPMC Act. The parishioners have also demanded that the TMC allows the land to be used as cemetery.

Elated by HC order Thomas Sequeira, 47 from Ghodbunder Road said that the TMC should decide on this fast. "I think the TMC commissioner should take speedy action so that it benefits Christian community. The land should be demarcated as a cemetery.

Kasber Augustine, president, Thane citizens foundation (TCF) said, "We are sure commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal will come up with a solution. Every citizen has the right to perform last rites of their loved ones in a dignified manner. But due to lack of space we have to bury the bodies one upon the other. Since we have our own church land we want it to be regularised as a rest in peace zone."