Dead denied dignity in Shivamogga: Residents block road to crematorium

Shivamogga: Bereaved relatives are battling unfounded and unscientific fears surrounding Covid-19 among citizens, many of whom are refusing dignity to the dead. In Shivamogga, which is chief minister BS Yediyurappa’s home district, residents blocked a road leading to the crematorium in the neighbourhood, making it plain that they did not wish to have a infected patient’s final rites performed there.
The crematorium, which rests on the banks of Tunga River, abuts localities, most of which are populated by people from the underprivileged sections. The residents have blockaded the way leading to the crematorium with branches of trees so as to ensure that those who have succumbed to the pandemic are not cremated anywhere close to the locality.
Furthermore, civic workers are no longer venturing into the locality, while the fence is also keeping out vehicles meant for the purposes of garbage collection. Moreover, members of the opposition in the Shivamogga City Municipal Corporation on Thursday rallied behind the residents, petitioning the deputy commissioner to choose a crematorium on the outskirts of the city for the final rites of Covid victims. Opposition member in the council Yogish HS has urged Shivamogga DC KB Sivakumar to take the apprehensions of the residents into account, and consider choosing another crematorium.
“The government has made it clear that Covid-19 patients succumbing to the disease must be cremated or buried with utmost respect. If the victim was a resident of an area within the corporation limits, the health department will factor that while choosing the crematorium or graveyard. If the family of the deceased is keen on a particular place, we will respect that wish. People must be more humane in such times. I would also like to add that the district administration takes all necessary precautions before the final rites of Covid victims are performed,” Sivakumar told TOI.
Meanwhile, the DC has also instructed officials in Shivamogga CMC to enforce all safety measures considering the fact that the Malnad district is now home to 300 Covid patients. All tahsildars have been empowered to file cases against those violating home quarantine.