Meghalaya’s doc who died from COVID-19 to be buried; permission was denied for cremation

GUWAHATI: Meghalaya’s doctor who died from coronavirus will be buried after he could not be cremated at the electric crematorium, Jhalupara as locals opposed the move fearing spread of the virus to residential areas and TB Hospital nearby.

The burial will now take place at Presbyterian Church Riatsamthiah at Lawmali according to protocols in the presence of a few church staff and government officials.

The deceased was a doctor of the Bethany Hospital, Shillong.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had twitted, “ I am deeply saddened to inform that the first #COVID19 positive patient in Meghalaya passed away this morning at 2:45 am. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.”

Cremation of bodies of people dying from coronavirus is posing a challenge.

Three instances have come out where families in Punjab have refused to perform last rites of family members who have died of coronavirus infection.

In once such recent incident on April 5, the last rites of a woman were performed by officials in Ludhiana city.

In another case since the entire family has been in quarantine, revenue staff had to take care of the last rituals.

In another incident that took place in Amritsar, villagers refused place for cremation of Padma Shri Nirmal Singh Khalsa, former Hazoori Raagi of the Golden Temple.

Meanwhile, weddings, celebrations, parties, and social get-togethers are being postponed due to the lockdown and the Corona scare but now the post-death rituals are also being put off. A family in a village of Ballia has postponed the last rituals of their mother to maintain social distancing.

Premchand Gupta, Motichand Gupta and Lakhichand Gupta in Amrit Pali village in Dubahad area of Ballia have postponed the ‘Brahmbhoj’ and ‘tehravi’ of their mother who died recently.

“These rituals are very important but, in these times, we decided to put them off. Even the pandits said that it would be better to hold the rituals at a later date because even our close relatives would not have been able to attend the same. Besides, social distancing is also important. We will hold the rituals when the lockdown is lifted,” said Premchand Gupta.

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