SURAT, July 6, 2013: Finally, the Uttarakhand government has decided to take the honorary service of the city-based NGO, working for the disposal of unclaimed and decomposed bodies. Ekta Trust's 14 volunteers are camping in Dehradun for the last six days.

TOI had highlighted the non-cooperation attitude of Uttarakhand government towards Etka Trust volunteers in its report dated July 2. The volunteers had reached the Himalayan state on June 28 to assist the state government in finding and disposing of the decomposed bodies of pilgrims killed in the recent flood.

The volunteers were airlifted to Guptkashi on Friday to help the rescue teams and the military personnel in disposing of the bodies.

Abdul Rehman Malbari, leader of the 14-member team of Ekta Trust volunteers in Uttarakhand, said, "After a long wait, our team members were airlifted on Friday morning to Guptkashi. The state machinery was not in favour of using our service as the spots are located at high altitudes. It was after our medical tests that we are being allowed to help in the disposal of decomposed bodies."

According to Malbari, volunteers of Etka Trust, have good experience in the disposal of decomposed bodies. It takes lot of courage to lift the highly decomposed bodies. The volunteers have disposed of hundreds of bodies during the earthquake in Gujarat and in the floods in Surat. We have been asked to cremate the bodies on the spot, because there is a hazard threat in the valley. There is a pungent smell in Guptkashi as many pilgrims have lost their lives."

Imran Mulla, an Ekta Trust volunteer, said, "The temperature in Guptkashi is falling constantly. and heavy rains could hamper our operation.

But, we are carrying out our operation along with the police and the military."

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 6, 2013.