Tiff over cremation

KANNUR: In what could be described as yet another unfortunate development, the funeral of Sukumar Azhikode was marred by a dispute between the Kannur municipal authorities and the relatives and friends of the deceased.The municipal authorities wanted the mortal remains of  Azhikode to be consigned to flames at the electric crematorium built on the Payyambalam beach. The relatives wanted the cremation to be done at the Payyambalam Smruthi Mandapam.Incidentally, the construction of the electric crematorium at Payyambalam had evoked a series of corruption charges in the past.As the dispute over the way the body was to be cremated continued till Wednesday morning, the municipal authorities backtracked following the intervention of the higher-ups. The cremation was held as desired by the relatives of Sukumar Azhikode.