Shillong Apr 18: In view of the events that ensued after the first Covid-19 death in the state, Urban Affairs Minister, Hamletson Dohling convened a meeting with members of the Greater Shillong Crematorium & Mortuary Society and after threadbare deliberations a consensus was arrived at that the crematorium shall be kept in operation and shall be ready as and when necessary for cremation of victims of Covid-19.

The crematorium of the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority at Jhalupara, is managed and operated by the Greater Shillong Crematorium &Mortuary Society (GSC&MS).

The crematorium shall also be used for incineration of Bio-medical waste, a government statement said.

The staff of the crematorium shall be sensitized on the protocols pertaining to disposal of dead bodies of Covid-19 victims as well as other protocols relating to Covid-19.

PPEs shall be made available to the crematorium staffs and operators and practical training on the use of PPE’s shall be imparted to them by SMB and MSPCB.

The crematorium and the adjoining areas shall be sanitised before and after every operation.

The mortal remains of Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang, the first COVID-19 victim could not be cremated due to opposition from the local residents arguing that the virus would spread as the electric crematorium is located adjacent to the area.

Dr Sailo was buried at the cemetery of the Riatsamthiah Presbyterian Church at Lawmali on Thursday after the plan to bury at his farm house at Nongpoh Ri Bhoi district was also objected by the Dorbar Shnong.