Dehradun, September 8, 2013: After the third round of operations to locate bodies in the Kedarnath Valley, 166 bodies lying between Garudchatti and Gaurikund were cremated in the past four days, Inspector-General of Police R.S. Meena told The Hindu on Saturday.

Kedarnath was the worst hit in June’s devastating floods and landslips.

Operations to trace bodies began in July after stranded pilgrims and locals were rescued.

More than 300 bodies were extricated and cremated in the previous two operations.

On June 16 and 17, those in the valley climbed to higher altitudes to save themselves from flood waters.

Though rescue operations began on June 18, they could not be traced due to bad weather.

Mr. Meena said, “Their bodies were found at an altitude of more than 13,000 feet. This being a very cold zone, there is a high possibility that they died of cold and starvation.”

Marking the end of the third phase, a 22-member police team returned to Gaurikund in Rudraprayag district on Saturday evening.

The police have collected DNA samples, photographs, jewellery and other possessions from the bodies.

Mr. Meena said, “More bodies may be found once the demolition of buildings starts in Kedarnath.”

The State government would decide on future operations to locate and cremate bodies in the valley after the September 11 prayers at the Kedarnath temple.

BJP leader and former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank alleged that by starting prayers at the Kedarnath shrine instead of extricating bodies from buildings near the temple, the government was trying to shift the focus.

Source: The Hindu, September 8, 2013