Chennai, Apr 22 (IANS): The family of neurosurgeon Simon Hercules who died due to Covid-19 on Wednesday appealed to the government to bury his body at a cemetery in Kilpauk locality.

The 55-year old Hercules died here on Sunday at a private hospital and his mortal remains were taken to Kilpauk cemetery but the locals protested against the burial fearing spread of virus.

His body was then taken to a different cemetery where a large crowd gathered and attacked the ambulance and its occupants protesting against the burial there.

However the body was buried after police intervened. The police have arrested 20 persons in this connection.

On Wednesday Chief Minister K.Palaniswami spoke to Hercules' wife Anandhi Simon and consoled her.

In a video message she appealed to Palaniswami to shift the casket containing his mortal remains to the Kilpauk cemetery as per his last wish.

She said her husband before being put on the ventilator had expressed his wish to be buried as per the family ritual.