SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1983
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NEW CERTIFICATION SYSTEM ON BURIAL IN NT
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A NEW PROCEDURE FOR APPROVING THE BURIAL OF NEW TERRITORIES INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS IN TRADITIONAL BURIAL GROUNDS WILL BE INTRODUCED GRADUALLY WITH EFFECT FROM THURSDAY (JUNE 16).
THE PURPOSE OF THE NEW PROCEDURE IS TO RECOGNISE AND PRESERVE THE TRADITIONAL RIGHTS OF THESE VILLAGERS TO BE BURIED OUTSIDE GAZETTED CEMETERIES, AND TO ENSURE THAT THE ILLEGAL BURIAL OF NON-INDIGENOUS RESIDENTS IS PREVENTED.
UNDER THE NEW PROCEDURE, RELATIVES OF DECEASED INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS MUST APPLY IN PERSON TO THE DISTRICT OFFICES CONCERNED FOR PERMISSION TO BURY OUTSIDE GAZETTED CEMETERIES, A NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
A DEATH CERTIFICATE AND A LETTER FROM THE APPROPRIATE RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN OR VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVE CONFIRMING THE INDIGENOUS STATUS OF THE DECEASED MUST BE PRODUCED WITH THE APPLICATION.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER WILL VERIFY THE STATUS AND ASCERTAIN THAT THE PROPOSED BURIAL SITE IS LOCATED WITHIN A PERMITTED AREA, BEFORE AUTHORISING THE BURIAL.
THE BURIAL MUST BE EFFECTED WITHIN THE PERMITTED AREA AND THE NUMBER OF THE 'BURIAL CERTIFICATE' ISSUED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE MUST BE SHOWN ON THE GRAVE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED THAT THEY MUST OBTAIN AUTHORISATION FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE BEFORE ARRANGING ANY BURIAL OUTSIDE A GAZETTED CEMETERY, STARTING ON THURSDAY.
ANY BURIAL MADE OUTSIDE A GAZETTED CEMETERY WITHOUT THE DISTRICT OFFICER'S AUTHORISATION WILL CONSTITUTE AN OFFENCE AND THE PERSONS RESPONSIBLE WILL BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE. FURTHERMORE, THE REMAINS OF THE DECEASED WILL BE EXHUMED, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE NEW ARRANGEMENT SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE SENIOR HEALTH INSPECTOR, CEMETERIES AND CREMATORIA, NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 3-655321, EXT. 201.
UNDERTAKERS ARE ADVISED THAT UNLESS THE RELATIVE OF THE DECEASED CAN PRODUCE A BURIAL CERTIFICATE WITH AUTHORISATION FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICER, THEY SHOULD NOT MAKE BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS OUTSIDE GAZETTED CEMETERIES.
OTHERWISE, THEY WILL BE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION, AND THE IR LICENCES MAY BE REVOKED.
ENFORCEMENT ACTION WILL CONTINUE TO BE TAKEN AGAINST EXISTING AS WELL AS NEW ILLEGAL GRAVES LOCATED OUTSIDE GAZETTED CEMETERIES.
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