In an untoward incident that took place in Punjab's Ludhiana, residents of Salem Tabri locked the gates of the cremation ground in order to prevent the last rites of a COVID-19 patient. Citing fear of contracting the infection, the residents denied a dignified farewell to a 70-year-old man, who died of coronavirus.

According to police sources, the deceased COVID-19 patient had retired as a driver from the municipal corporation and was a resident of Salem Tabri. It was only when the police intervened that the deceased was cremated, reports Hindustan Times.