Tahsildar performs woman’s last rites after family says no

SHOT OF HOPE

Tahsildar performs woman’s last rites after family says no

Ranganath K TNN

Tumakuru:15.05.2021

A government official stepped forward to cremate a woman who had died of Covid-related complications after her family allegedly refused to perform the last rites.

Tumakuru taluk tahsildar Mohan Kumar GV, his staff members Shivanna and Devaraju and others wore personal protection equipment (PPE) kits and moved the woman’s body from Kuppuru village to the cremation site on Wednesday.

The woman, Jayamma, tested positive after visiting a neighbour who had Covid-19 a fortnight ago. Jayamma’s son, Manjunath, a mason, then got everyone in the family tested. Only Jayamma and her husband were diagnosed with the disease. Soon, Manjunath left the house with his wife and children. ASHA workers provided medicines and food packets to the elderly couple, who also have three married daughters, but two days later, Jayamma’s condition worsened and she was rushed to a hospital in Tumakuru.

After a week of treatment, she was discharged on Tuesday and returned to her village. The next morning, she passed away. Mohan Kumar tried to persuade the family members to give her a dignified farewell, but they reportedly feared contracting coronavirus infection. Mohan Kumar then decided to cremate her. Revenue inspector Shivanna P accompanied him.

Meanwhile, Umakanth, commissioner, Tiptur CMC, has performed the last rites of at least three Covid-19 patients who had no known kin.