Covid-hit man carries mother’s body in JCB for cremation

In a tragic incident, a youth suffering from Coronavirus was compelled to carry the body of his mother in a JCB for last rites in Govindpet in Armoor mandal in the district, after relatives or villagers did not come forward to help him. Though the deceased woman, her husband and their two daughters tested negative for Covid-19, the villagers suspected that she fell victim to the virus. With no help coming from anywhere, her son, though he is suffering from Coronavirus, shifted the body to the cremation ground all by himself, while his father and sisters stayed at home.

The incident came to light on Wednesday when district collector C.Narayana Reddy directed officials to ensure that the last rites of Coronavirus victims were conducted with due respect.

The 55-year-old woman of Govindpet died on Tuesday. Her son, who tested positive four days ago, has been staying in home isolation. Though the villagers and relatives stayed away from the last rites, the poignant scene – the boy carrying her mother’s body alone to the cremation in the streets of the village – moved them to tears as they watched it from a distance.

The district collector said that revenue divisional officers or municipal commissioners or relatives should take the responsibility of performing the last rites of the Covid-19 victims. He ordered officials to provide four PPE kits to the family members of deceased persons to take part in the last rites. The collector also called for constitution of committees in villages and towns to look into the matter.

THE 55-YEAR-OLD woman of Govindpet died on Tuesday. Her son, who tested positive four days ago, has been staying in home isolation.