DK administration to launch campaign on dead body management protocol

Deepthi Sanjiv | TNN | Apr 26, 2020, 04:55 IST

Mangaluru: Following the eight-hours long ordeal over the cremation of 75-year-old Covid-19 victim as the body was shunted from one crematorium to the other, district administration has decided to launch awareness drives on a war footing.
Speaking to TOI, deputy commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh said, “We have started lots of awareness programmes to kill misinformation. There are very clear protocols set in for dead body management which we have issued to the public to allay their fears and concerns. Few of the widely respected members of the medical fraternity are also joining hands to create awareness.”
“The manner in which the administration has taken measures to popularise concepts such social distancing, campaigns on creating awareness on dead body management protocol must also be taken up. It is shameful to protest and prevent the cremation of any human being which is equal to denying dignity in death — a constitutional provision,” said senior lawyer Asha Nayak.
“The administration should also consider booking people for protesting and opposing cremation under Section 297 of the Indian Penal Code that deals with trespassing on burial places/ crematorium,” the lawyer added.
Yathish Baikampady, chairman, disaster management committee, Indian Redcross Society, Dakshina Kannada said, “The district administration should invoke the necessary provisions of the Disaster Management Act or any other legal provision at its disposal and take necessary action against anyone denying the last rites to victims of epidemic diseases. This would work as an effective deterrent to the offenders. This will also effuse confidence to the healthcare workers who are rendering yeoman services to the society and nation and to the families of the deceased victims of Covid-19.”
Public offer assistance
*BM Bhat Patrame and Shyamraj Patrame from Patrame village, about 8km from Dharmasthala, have offered land in their 15-acre property to conduct last rites of Covid-19 victims. “When the district administration, doctors and police are working hard and risking their lives to control the spread of Covid-19, it is shameful that people are protesting and denying dignity in death to the victims,” said Shyamraj Patrame, panchayat member and agriculturist.
*A group of 20 youths from different walks of life have come forward to assist the authorities in conducting the last rites of Covid-19 victims in the district. Led by Riyaz Kannur, of A1 cabs, they have decided to provide any kind of assistance, including providing land to conduct the last rites. “We have identified places in Kannur area for conduct of the last rites,” Riyaz told TOI.
* Hindu Rudrabhoomi Renovation and Development Committee, Katipalla-Ganeshpura convenor Mohan Ganeshpura has written to the deputy commissioner offering land for the last rites of Covid-19 victims at a crematorium located about 20km from Mangaluru City.