Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 2: In an inhumane approach, a mob today disrupted the last rites of a COVID-19 victim in Domana area, following which the authorities took the body to another notified place in Pounichak area and cremated the body as per protocol.
According to the reports, to conduct last rites, the body of a 72-year-old man hailing from Doda district, who died due to Coronavirus at Government Medical College (GMC) and Hospital, Jammu on Monday, was taken to a Cremation Ground in Domana area of Jammu this morning by the authorities.
Some revenue officials, police personnel, a medical team and close relatives of the deceased, including his wife and two sons, were present during the cremation but as the family was trying to light the pyre, a large number of local residents appeared at the scene and raised objections.
Government officials including police personnel accompanying the family of the deceased tried to convince them but they remain adamant on their stand of not allowing cremation, forcing the authorities and the family to return back with the body to GMC Jammu where the body was again packed as per protocols.
Later, the body was taken to a cremation ground in Pounichak area, where it was consigned to flames in the afternoon in presence of senior civil officials, including Additional Deputy Commissioner and Sub-Divisional Magistrate under tight security.
“My uncle was admitted in the hospital last week and died on Monday afternoon. He was suffering from various ailments, especially lungs and heart diseases. Before shifting him to GMC Hospital Jammu, he underwent a Coronavirus test in Doda which came negative,” nephew of the deceased said. However, he said, the victim’s second test after his admission in the GMC hospital came positive on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sushma Chauhan said that their policy is clear. “If any person from Jammu district dies due to COVID-19, he/she will be cremated in the Cremation Ground close to his/her residence but for cremation of Corona patients from other districts who died here in GMC, we have identified places in Jammu as dispatching the body to their hometown will not be safe and there is maximum probability of breach of protocols”.
Commenting on the objections raised by the local residents of Domana on last rites of the COVID-19 patient, the DC said nobody will welcome or say come here and do last rites. Ignoring objections, the administration has to perform its duties. She said people object due to ignorance but when they are educated that there are least chances of infection from a dead body, they get convinced.
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