Kerala BJP adviser, locals book to prevent cremation of Covid + ve Man

Thiruvananthapuram:

A day after protests against the cremation of the body of an 83-year-old man who was confirmed positive for coronavirus after his death in Kottayam, Kerala, police registered a complaint against a BJP adviser and locals for meeting illegal and violation of COVID -19 protocols. They reportedly feared a health risk due to the cremation of a Covid-positive man.

It was the first death from COVID-19 in the district.

Shocking scenes were seen for hours on Sunday evening as a group of protesters, led by the BJP adviser, did not allow officials to cremate the body at a municipal crematorium, which is believed to be near their home .

BJP adviser TN Harikumar was seen shouting at officials “take the body to your house”, and the group of residents – men and women – were seen sitting on the ground, obstructing the movement of service officials. police and health.

“The officials came to cremate the body without informing the residents or me, without giving us any confidence. When the protests were going on, this is when a health official was trying to educate people. Is this the time? That is when I told the official to take the body to his house, ”Mr. Harikumar said.

The officials, who had left after hours of protest, returned after 11 p.m. in a tight police security environment and cremated the body.

Kerala Minister Thomas Isaac Finance took to Twitter and said: “When I tweeted about BJP and Congress undermining public confidence in the fight against COVID, some said I was partisan. Now listen to the last one, the BJP adviser in Kottayam leads a crowd to prevent the cremation of a deceased in a public cemetery. Reason why COVID can spread through smoke! “

Congressman Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, who had also reached the area, said: “Locals, especially women who work in different houses, were afraid of losing their jobs. This is something that needs to be made aware of and that one should be aware of. speaks to them. “