Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)

Belagavi, Aug 17: In an inhuman incident which happened in the second ward of M K Hubballi town in Channammana Kittur taluk of the district, family members of a man were forced to carry the mortal remains of their deceased relative on a bicycle. They were deprived of the services of any vehicle for taking the body to conduct the funeral, as everyone was afraid that the deceased might have contracted coronavirus infection. This reminds one of the recent incidents in which a family had to carry the body of a man by a pushcart.

A resident of Gandhinagar in Channammana Kittur town had fallen sick. He had visited a private hospital at Belagavi and got himself treated. Later, the doctors had advised him to get himself checked as he exhibited symptoms of coronavirus infection. But he died on Sunday morning at his house.

The old man's wife and family members who turned anxious visited the government hospital and sought an ambulance for carrying the body. It is said that the health officials refused to meet her request. At the same time, it was not confirmed whether the man had contracted coronavirus infection, as no test was performed on him. Therefore, as per the COVID rules, the hospital staff should have volunteered to perform the funeral but they did not show any interest.

As no other vehicle owner was prepared to carry the body of a corona suspect, the son of the deceased, and his friend covered the body in plastic sheets, wearing PPE kits given by the panchayat, went to the graveyard and performed the funeral.

The people have now been expressing strong resentment at the negligent attitude of the government officials.