Earthmover dumps 3 bodies in Nellore, investigation on

HYDERABAD : The Nellore district administration on Friday ordered a probe into the incident of the local municipal staff allegedly carrying the bodies of three Covid-19 victims in an earthmover and then dumping them into a grave, at a spot adjacent to Penna river.

A video shot by a person crossing the highway adjacent to the river, showed some people in personal protective equipment (PPE) taking out three bodies from an ambulance and dumping them in an earthmover. In another video, the earthmover could be seen carrying the bodies to a pit a few metres away and dumping all of them into it.

As the videos went viral and were played on local television channel, the chief minister’s office ordered the Nellore administration to hold an inquiry. “A detailed inquiry has been ordered into the burial of the dead bodies of Covid-19 patients in Penna river. Nellore revenue divisional officer Hussian Saheb has been appointed as special officer and will conduct the inquiry,” a statement from the CMO said.

Opposition TDP reacted to the callous treatment of the bodies by municipal staff. “Pained to see bodies of #Covid_19 patients in Nellore being disrespectfully thrown into a single pit using an Earthmover. This is happening time & again. @ysjagan Govt must offer an apology to the grieving families who wished for a respectful departure for their loved ones,” TDP president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu tweeted. This is the third such incident in the state in the recent past.