Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, May 29: In an incident which happened at Darbe Nekkilday village in the taluk, rumour about the deceased suffering from coronavirus infection made his dear ones to stay away from conducting his funeral.

In an incident which happened on Thursday May 28, a hotel worker collapsed and died. There was information that he was suffering from fever. As rumour about the possibility of the man suffering from coronavirus infection spread, no one came forward to perform his funeral.

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The man in question was from Udupi. He had distanced himself from his family members and was working in a hotel at Uppinangady. As the hotel is closed for the present, he used to stay with a known family settled in Nekkilady village. He reportedly was a liquor addict, and collapsed and breathed his last in the residence of the family with whom he stayed.

Someone said that he was suffering from fever. Police station was informed. The son of the deceased reached Nekkilady in the evening. But no one came forward to perform the last rites or extend any help. The body was kept waiting at the police station. Revenue and health department officials did not respond to phone calls.

Realizing the plight of the son of the deceased, Uppinangady police sub-inspector Eraiah, convinced the driver of a private ambulance and shifted the body to the mortuary of the government hospital at Puttur after wrapping the body in a personal protection equipment provided to the policemen. The throat swab sample was sent for testing and funeral will be performed after receipt of report.

The rumours have created tension in the minds of the family members where the deceased stayed, his deserted family members and those living in the neighbourhood. Further development depends on the report that is awaited.