Latvian’s body cremated

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Thursday directed the government to bury and not cremate the mortal remains of the Latvian woman who was found dead near Thiruvallam here.

The order came a few minutes late as the body was cremated at the Santhikavadam here around the time.

The order was issued by Commission acting-chairperson P. Mohanadas on the basis of a petition filed by BJP district president S. Suresh seeking to stay the cremation citing undue haste in doing so and the suspicious nature of the action.

He also claimed that the body should be preserved to enable a re-post-mortem.

In its order, the commission directed to bury the body in accordance with the Christian belief and rites.

Report sought

A report in the matter has also been sought from the Chief Secretary within a week.

The cremation was held in the presence of Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran and senior police officers.

In a statement issued here later, Mr. Surendran said that the funeral had taken place in the presence of a priest in a manner that had been requested by the sister and partner of the deceased.

Accusing the BJP of disrespecting the departed, Mr. Surendran was also critical of the commission which, he claimed, was acting in a unilateral manner.

He added that cremating the mortal remains and conserving the ashes had been accepted under the Christian belief.