Our Reporter
Dimapur, April 16 (EMN): The Covid-19 patient who passed away in Meghalaya on April 15 was laid to rest at the Riatsamthiah Presbyterian Church cemetery in Lawmali on Thursday morning, after being denied cremation in Jhalupara and Nongpoh.
A source close to the family told Eastern Mirror that the body was taken on the night of April 15 to Nongpoh for burial; at the deceased person’s farm but was denied by the residents due to fear that the virus might spread.
“It was the last wish (of the deceased) to be buried in the farm in Nongpoh where the sister is also buried but even that was denied,” informed the source.
After being denied at Nongpoh, decision to electronically cremate the deceased at Jhalupara was also denied by the residents, again for the same reason.
“The government also could not do anything and the body was just left like that,” shared the source.
It was also informed that the family had written to the government of Meghalaya to intervene but no action was taken.
However after hours of waiting, the residents of Mawryngkneng village decided to give its land for either cremation or burial, and finally the deceased was laid to rest at Riatsamthiah Presbyterian Church cemetery, not very far from the polo ground in Shillong, it was informed.
“The body was taken to the cemetery at Riatsamthiah and was given a traditional burial,” said the source and added that a few extended family members along with medical personnel and other officials attended the funeral.
“The lukewarm attitude of the government proves that they are not prepared when the real crisis starts,” said the source.
The six immediate family members of the deceased who also tested positive were informed to be under home quarantine.
