Officials in several south Bengal districts have started searches for separate burial grounds and crematoria for people dying from the novel coronavirus after people raised objection to the last rites of Covid-19 patients at some places in the state, including Calcutta.

The officials said it had become mandatory to finalise a place for the last rites of those dying of the coronavirus because each district would have at least one hospital to treat Covid-19 patients.

“There is no report of the virus spreading in districts. But we have to be prepared. We thought it was mandatory to have at least one dedicated crematorium and a burial ground after protests took place in Calcutta and Siliguri,” said a senior government official.

In Hooghly’s Arambagh, the administration has shortlisted three crematoria and a burial ground. Officials said one crematorium would be selected from the shortlisted sites.

“There is no record of coronavirus patients in our area now. But we will keep a crematorium and a burial ground ready,” Arambagh subdivisional officer Nripendra Singh said.

A senior district official in Birbhum said: “To avoid objections of people, it will be better to cremate or bury the dead at a deserted place.”

In East Burdwan district, BDOs were asked to embark on a similar exercise.