Faizan Wani
Srinagar, Aug 25: Police has registered a case against the relatives of a Corona-Virus victim at Batpora area of Srinagar, for allegedly violating COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), laid down by the Union Health Ministry, during funeral of the deceased here last week.
Official sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that police have filed an FIR against relatives of COVID-19 victim who died last week at SMHS hospital.
Sources said the next of kin of the deceased not only gathered in large numbers on the funeral of the deceased but also pelted stones on ambulances and other vehicles deputed with the team of health officials.
Taking cognizance of the incident, police registered a formal case under FIR number 79/2020 under section 147, 188, 427 IPC at Police Station Kralpora and investigation set into motion to ascertain facts.
It may be in place to mention that the deceased from Batpora Kralpora, was admitted at SMHS hospital on August 23rd after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Sources said he succumbed to the deadly virus the very next day.
“Dead body of the deceased was brought to his home in an ambulance, by the health authorities for burial purposes, as per the guidelines laid down by the government. However the relatives of the deceased gathered in a large number on the funeral of the deceased thereby violating prescribed COVID guidelines,” they said.
They said the relatives of the deceased besides violating protocol, damaged an ambulance and a Tata Sumo vehicle. This act of the public gathered at the funeral of the deceased posed grave threat to public health.
A police official while confirming the incident told KNO that a formal case under relevant section of Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered at Kralpora police station and investigation taken up.
Authorities have appealed to the general public to strictly adhere to the guidelines laid down by the government vis-à-vis COVID-19 pandemic or else there will be a major surge in positive cases which may be difficult for the administration to control—(KNO)
