VISAKHAPATNAM: In an inhuman act, municipal workers of
Palasa-Kasibugga
town were seen using an
earthmover
to lift and shift the body of a
Covid-19 patient
to a
cremation ground
on Friday.
As the video showing the body being lifted by the earthmover went viral on social media, Srikakulam district collector J Nivas ordered the suspension of
health assistant Rajeev
for not following Covid-19 protocol rules.
Rajeev and his team used the earthmover in violation of human dignity and right to a dignified funeral.
Palasa-Kasibugga municipal commissioner T Nagendra Kumar told TOI the old man died of cardiac arrest on Thursday evening at his residence in
Udayapuram
. Health officials collected the swab sample of the deceased and the result returned positive. After being informed by medical authorities, Rajeev, who is also the sanitary inspector in-charge, visited the area and took the body for cremation.
"Nobody, including his family members, came forward to touch the body. There was no ambulance nearby. Finally, the sanitary team got an earthmover to transport the body as soon as possible to prevent contamination," Nagendra Kumar said.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword. V Kamalakara Rao, Senior Correspondent, The Times of India, based...
Read MoreV Kamalakara Rao, Senior Correspondent, The Times of India, based in Visakhapatnam, covers mainly civic bodies including Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), transport including Indian Railways, Airports and Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, power sector including Eastern Power Distribution Company of AP Limited. He is a nature lover and likes to spend time amidst nature.
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