Shivamogga residents allege neglect during cremation, stage protest

SHIVAMOGGA: Residents of Rajiv Gandhi Extension in Shivamogga district held a protest on Saturday, claiming staff of the health department acted negligently while cremating a Covid-19 victim near the locality. The staff, they alleged, left the partially burnt body at the site on Friday night.
Protesters blocked Shivamogga-Bhadravathi Road on Tunga River Bridge, demanding that the district administration stop cremating Covid-19 victims at the site.There have been similar protests against burial and cremation of deceased Covid-19 patients in other parts of the state over unfounded fears of infection.
In the latest incident, residents said the body was brought to the crematorium late on Friday. The staff lit the pyre around 10pm and did not wait for the entire process to end, residents allege. Local corporators rushed to the place at 12.30am and took pictures to present as evidence.
HC Yogish, opposition leader in Shivamogga City Corporation, visited the place and alerted officers concerned. He told TOI officials should be extra careful while performing the last rites of Covid-19 victims. “There is clear negligence in this case,” he said.
Deputy commissioner KB Sivakumar said as the body didn’t burn fully, the pyre was lit again. Shivamogga Urban tahsildar and police were present. Sivakumar warned that action would be taken against those who enter the crematorium without permission.