A Muslim funeral procession in Mekna village of Darbhanga district, Bihar, was allegedly obstructed while mourners were taking the deceased to the burial ground.
The family says they were forced to carry the body through fields, water and muddy terrain to reach the graveyard.
According to the family, heavy rainfall had made the usual route difficult to use. When the mourners attempted to take an alternative route, villagers allegedly stopped them and told them to find another way to reach the burial ground.
The family further alleges that members of the local Paswan community objected to the procession passing through the area, citing plans to construct a temple there.
The mourners say they tried to resolve the matter but were unable to secure passage.
The family also says that police and local administration officials were present at the spot but did not provide a route or assistance to facilitate the funeral procession.
Left with no other option, relatives and neighbours carried the deceased’s body through fields, vegetation, water and mud before reaching the burial site.
Video footage shared with Millat Times by the deceased’s family appears to show several men carrying a covered bier through green fields and difficult terrain. Police personnel can also be seen in some frames.
A relative of the deceased, speaking to Millat Times, said, “We have not been provided a proper road to the graveyard. Just yesterday, we faced a lot of difficulty while taking the funeral procession to the graveyard.
The villagers blocked the road and told us, ‘This is not your path. Find your own way and go through that route.’ Somehow, we managed to take the funeral to the graveyard.
We had to carry the funeral through fields, ponds, water and mud before reaching the graveyard. The CO and other administration officials were also present, but no proper assistance was provided. The administration simply told us to use whatever path was available and somehow reach the graveyard.
We faced great difficulty, but despite everything, we somehow managed to bury our loved one.”
The incident has raised concerns over access to burial grounds and funeral routes in rural areas, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
The dispute also highlights how unresolved land and access issues can contribute to tensions between communities.
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