COVID-19: Meghalaya police yet to make arrest in wedding incident case

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 11, 2020

The state police are yet to make any arrest against the people, who had attended the wedding party at Greenwood Resort, Assam, for violation of the COVID-19 protocols and prohibitory orders of the government.

East Khasi Hills District superintendent of police, Sylvester Nongtnger on Friday said 36 alleged accused persons against whom notices were issued have appeared at the police station and their statements have been recorded.

“No arrests have been made since maximum punishment for all the above offences are punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years. The investigation is in progress to reach its logical conclusion,” Nongtnger said.

He however said notices were not issued to two juveniles who are relatives of the bride and the groom and one person from Karbi Anglong Assam who had gone to drop two persons on June 27, to Khanapara Assam and left Shillong for Assam on June 28.

It may be mentioned here that the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills had first filed an FIR on July 13, against 35 people travelled to Khanapara on June 26, for a marriage ceremony that took place at Greenwood Resort, Khanapara, Assam on June 2, in total 11 vehicles, whereas passes were obtained only for 5 vehicles with single occupancy.

On June 28, the group of 35 people returned back to Shillong in the 11 vehicles including the 5 vehicles which had obtained passes.

A reception was held in the residence of the bride on July 2 and no permission was obtained from the office of the district administration.

The persons were found violating protocols issued by the Health department and the prohibitory order issued by the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, Shillong for prevention of epidemic disease COVID-19.

A case has been registered and investigated vide Sadar Case 159(07)2020 U/S 188/34 IPC R/w Section 8 of Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases Covid-19 Regulation 2020 Fifth Amendment and 51 (b)/52 of Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Another FIR was received from the Deputy Commissioner on July 30, against four others who were also found to have attended the marriage party. Accordingly, the FIR was forwarded to The Court of CJM Shillong for treating the same as supplementary to the earlier FIR dated 13.7.2020.