Earthmover used to carry Covid victim's body to crematorium

The body of a coronavirus patient, a 72-year-old man, in Andhra Pradesh was shifted to the crematorium from his house in an earthmover, causing uproar from political leaders belonging to the Opposition in the state. Two officials have been suspended after the incident came to light. A former municipality employee, who had tested positive for Covid during a door-to-door health survey, died at his house. A video shows the body being transported from his house to the crematorium in a JCB, by officials wearing personal protective equipment. The chief minister's office called the handling of the incident "an inhumane act" and said necessary protocols for shifting the victim were not followed. Srikakulam district collector J Nivas ordered suspension of Palasa municipal commissioner Nagendra Kumar and sanitary inspector N Rajiv.