COVID19 positive
Representative photo. Image credit - ddnews.gov.in

The mortal remains of Meghalaya’s first victim of COVID-19, Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang will be buried not cremated.

This was decided late midnight after the state government held discussions on how to move forward including offers coming from various churches expressing their willingness to provide space for the burial.

Confirming this, deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong said the burial will take place at the cemetery of the Presbyterian Church Riatsamthiah at Lawmali.

The burial will follow immediately after digging the grave, Tynsong said, adding that few leaders of the church will attend the funeral service in the presence of the government officials as per the laid down protocols.

The mortal remains of the renowned physician could not be cremated at the electric crematorium, Jhalupara on Wednesday due to opposition from locals who feared that the virus may spread since the crematorium is located adjacent to the residential areas of Upper Mawprem and TB hospital.