Cremation site deaths: Protesters block NH, demand judicial probe

JAMMU : Protesters blocked the Jammu-Pathankot national highway in Gangyal here on Saturday, demanding a judicial probe into the deaths of two men due to the alleged negligence of the district administration two days ago.

Vimal (38) and Vipin Zadoo (35) had gone to cremate their 64-year-old uncle, who had died of Covid-19, in Sidhra area where they fainted and eventually died after crying for help and water amid scorching heat. They were cremated on Saturday.

“The deaths of the young men are the direct result of administration’s negligence. They were taken from place to place in search of a cremation site amid heat wave and were not even provided water,” said one of the protesters, claiming that they died of dehydration and it cannot be dismissed as natural death and should instead be treated as “murder”.

Another protestor said, “The administration has now announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia to get away with their murders. We demand judicial probe, suitable compensation and government job for their kin.”

Senior BJP leader and former legislator Vikram Randhawa said those responsible for failing to protect their lives should be taken to task.

WASEEM ANDRABI/ HT Medical staff and relatives a Covid-19 victim bury his coffin into a grave while wearing personal protective equipment. The patient died at Safa Kadal in Srinagar on Saturday.

HT PHOTO Distraught relatives of the deceased in Jammu on Saturday