‘Wrap bodies in transparent bag for final glimpse’

THANE: Activists have sought “sensitive handling” of Covid corpses at crematoriums after a video of workers dumping a body on a wooden pyre at an unidentified crematorium went viral. As the corpse is placed improperly, workers are seen trying to adjust it using a bamboo. Activists hinted it was due to the fear of contracting the infection.
A Thane civic activist, Shashi Kumar Nair, said, “Such treatment seems disrespectful to the dead...” He suggested a mechanical device be devised to move corpses from an ambulance to the pyre.
A worker said two crematorium workers were recently infected and it has set fear among others.
BJP’s Thane unit said transparent bags be used to wrap bodies. “It will help relatives see their loved one a last time and prevent handing over of wrong corpse by hospitals,” said BJP Thane chief and MLC Niranjan Davkhare.
Civic chief Vijay Singhal remained mum on the incident but said cremation protocol was being followed in Thane.