Many reports are coming in that close relatives are abandoning their dear ones for fear of being infected with Covid-19 across the country.
However, rising above the caste, creed and religion, Narsingdi district administration is taking responsibility for the last rites of people that die of Covid-19 or with such symptoms.
The authorities in the district have formed a 'Quick Response Team" which is arranging funerals of the dead, following proper religious customs. The team has already performed over hundreds of funerals since it was formed on March 30.
A total of six teams are currently working in the six upazilas namely Narsingdi Sadar, Palash, Shibpur, Belabo, Monohardi and Raipura.
Each team is comprised of nine members. An assistant commissioner (land) of the respective upazila is leading each team, with Hindu priests and Islamic preachers, along with members of Fire Service and Civil Defence and Bangladesh Ansar and VDP.
Abdullah Al Mamun, the president of Alokito Narsingdi, said: "Nobody is coming ahead for the last rites of people that died of Covid-19 or with such symptoms. But the Quick Response Team formed by the district administration is performing the funerals."
Didar Hossain, a councillor of 3 no ward of Narsingdi municipality, said when anyone dies with Covid-19 symptoms, nobody comes forward to help with the burial or cremation. Sometimes, relatives are leaving the dead bodies by the roadside.
"The Quick Response Team is working day and night for the burial or cremation of the dead in the district," he added.
Md Sha Alom Miah, Sadar upazila assistant commissioner (land), and the convener of Sadar upazila Quick Response Team said: "Children are leaving the dead bodies of their parents when they die with Covid-19 or with such symptoms. Besides, parents sometimes also do the same when their children die with Covid-19 or with such symptoms."
"The Quick Response Team is working to ensure that all the dead receive proper last rites at this time of humanitarian crises."
"In my upazila, we have performed last rites of at least 38 dead bodies," he added.
Regarding the matter, Syeda Farhana Kawnine, Narsingdi deputy commissioner and the president of the district Coronaviruis prevention committee, said: "Apart from the task of preventing Covid-19 in the district, the authorities have taken many initiatives during the Covid-19 crisis. The Quick Response Team is one of them. As many people are dying from Covid-19 in this district, the team remains busy all the time with burials or cremation of dead people."