Srinagar: Refuting reports as ‘fictitious’ that family members and relatives of the deceased Rainawari women refused to perform her last rights, neighbors of the elderly lady, who became 8th victim of COVID-19, said how on earth could they attended the funeral when all of them are quarantined.
Shocked over the reports that appeared on popular social networking sites facebook and WhatsApp that family members of the octogenarian women did not turn up to perform her last rites, neighbors of the deceased said those who were supposed to be there were put under quarantine.
“We are shocked and at the same time feel ashamed of the thinking of those who spread false information. No sooner the authorities confirmed her report as positive, whole area was sealed and her relatives and family members were put under quarantine. In a such a situation, who could attend her funeral,” said a youth from Batpora Jogi Lanker.
He said the dead body of the lady after medico legal formalities was shifted to concerned police station wherefrom same was straightaway taken to graveyard for last rites. He said the police dug her grave out of compulsion as whole area after being declared as Containment Red-Zone was sealed.
Pertinently a Covid-19 positive elderly lady from Batpora, Lambh Mohalla area of Rainawari died at Chest Disease hospital Dalgate on Tuesday.
Since the family members and relatives of the deceased were sent for 14 days quarantine, policemen from concerned police station dug grave and performed her last rites as per religious procedure.
“We condemn in strong words false reports about the deceased lady. We appeal the administration to take cognizance of the false social media reports and take action against those involved in this heinous crime,” locals said.
Meanwhile, the police have earned praise for carrying out the last rites of the deceased woman as her family members were quarantined and could not be present to bury her.
The funeral prayers were also performed by the police.
Social media was abuzz with appreciation for the police officials for going beyond their call of duty to give a dignified burial to the woman.
“Cops beyond the call of duty: SHO of Rainawari burried the deceased lady from Rainawari who died of COVID-19. Her relatives could not turn for funeral but the officer did,” a senior police officer tweeted.
Another Twitter user, Waseem Khan, wrote, “May Allah reward them all for this noble cause, they’re serving the people in all aspects. They really care for the people of J&K”.
However, the inability of the victim’s close relatives to bid her goodbye also caused some to express sympathies for her and her kin on social media.
“This pandemic has snatched the very humane touch we all long for. Not being able to say good bye is worse than the death itself, ” Saleem Sofi, a Facebook user, wrote.
Dr Naveed Nazir Shah, who is heading the COVID-19 hospital at Dalgate, also took to social media to express his views.
“Painfull to see the family members, near n dear ones not able to perform the last rites,” Shah tweeted.
He said the woman neither had a travel history nor was a primary contact of any coronavirus patient.
“This is what can happen if we DONT follow advisories. ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH COMORBIDITIES are most susceptible,” he warned.
