MYAGDI: Owing to the lack of cemetery built as per the Muslim tradition and ritual in

the district, people of Muslim community have been compelled to walk long hours for the cremation of dead bodies.

Twenty-eight Muslim households in Bhurungtatopani, Darbang and Benibazaar in the district are forced to go to the neighbouring districts Baglung and Parbat carrying dead bodies for final rites.

Unlike the death ritual prevalent in other communities, a dead body is buried in the Muslim community.

Rahamad Khan, secretary, Muslim Service Society Myagdi, said they do not have alternative to walking for hours to Baglung and Parbat. He said that they have been doing so for the last forty years.

“We are suffering from this problem for a long time, so the government has to take initiative to construct cemetery promptly”, Khan urged.

Khan complained that their pleas to build the cemetery had fallen on deaf years though they made demands with District Development Committee and Athunge Village Development Committee time and again.

The Muslim community has demanded eight ropanis of land with the District

Development Committee for the construction of cemetery. Rojan Din, chairman, Muslim Service Society, said carrying the dead bodies to other districthas made the final ritual process dearer.