Tamil Nadu cop gives dignity to dead by carrying out last rites of unclaimed bodies

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<strong>There are several actions and gestures on the part of the police force that reflect their humane side. One such is the example of M. Amina, of Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore police who has with the support of an NGO cremated more than 100 unclaimed and unidentified bodies.</strong></p>
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This selfless service of giving dignity to these bodies, on her part is not a one off but has been going on for several years including during the Covid pandemic period.</p>
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Amina who is 38 years old and mother of two children, is attached to Coimbatore’s Mettupalayam police station has been doing this now for more than five years.</p>
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When accident cases which are fatal are reported to her police station, she helps out in getting the post-mortem procedures and certification done. When these bodies are unclaimed and unidentified, she with the help of Jeeva Shanthy Foundation completes their last rites. The Foundation is a trust which takes care of homeless and mentally ill people and also those who are poor in Government hospitals.</p>
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Talking about her actions, Amina told the media: “Usually, post-mortems are conducted in Mettupalayam and Coimbatore government hospitals. I have to spend most of my time there. We will hand over the dead bodies to the families after the post-mortem. Whereas it is heart-breaking when someone dies unclaimed. I am working with Jeeva Shanthy Trust to ensure that their last rites are conducted in a proper manner, which I see as my mission. I am carrying out the work of cremation of helpless bodies with the support from my family members and fellow police officers.”</p>
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The expenses of the last rites are borne by Amina who is helped by other police officers. The Director-General of Tamil Nadu Police, Sylendra Babu recently congratulated her and acknowledged her service by giving her a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 5,000.</p>