DC’s office alleged of floating social distancing norms

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 6, 2020

EJNC urges govt to intensify checking on inter-state movement

The East Jaintia National Council (EJNC) has alleged the office of the deputy commissioner of East Jaintia Hills District has blatantly floated the social distancing guidelines to prevent spread of COVID-19 disease.

In a statement issued here on Monday, EJNC president Samborwell Lyngdoh said the DC’s office has failed to adhere to its own social distancing guidelines that this has put the health and life of the people at risk.

“The government has also advised its offices to limit to present of staff and also the people in the office keeping in mind the objective to stop the virus, however we are pained to see that the social distancing norms is blatantly floated in the office of the DC. There are huge crowd in the aforesaid office more than usual or normal days and this is serious cause of concern as this may lead to the spread of the virus,” he said while requesting the DC to rectify the problem in the best interest and safety of all.

Lyngdoh also pointed out that many vehicles are plying on the road despite curfew being imposed as they have successfully obtained car pass from the DC’s office.

“This has led to the misuse of the car pass issued by the government and as such this has to be rectified because if many vehicles are allowed to ply on the road  the entire objective of curfew and social distancing will fail,” he said.

On the other hand, the EJNC president however said complaints have been received from the public that it is very difficult and take so much time to get car pass for medical emergency while others  manage to get the same easily.

“Thus, we wish to suggest that only people with genuine case of emergency and other services as earmarked by the government should be given car pass,” he said.

The EJNC further suggested the district administration to provide ration in the form of rice, vegetables, eggs etc instead of packed food to the  migrant labourers.

Expressing concern over the alleged easy movement of labourers from Assam to Meghalaya via Malidor, Lyngdoh said recently, it has been reported that a man from Assam entered Meghalaya via Malidor without being detected by the police force.

He said this is matter of great concern which has caused fear and can put the life of the people at risk as  he requested the government and the police to tighten its vigil at all check points particularly in Malidor, Ratacherra and Umkiang.

“Patrolling should also be undertaken by the police where there is no police check points and any migrant labourer should be detained and questioned in order to tackle COVID-19,” he said adding “Unless the police can stop, people from Assam enter our Meghalaya at this point of time, the life of the people of our state will be at peril and this will cause panic and fear amongst the public given the fact that many people have been tested positive for COVID-19 in Assam.”

Referring to the government’s decision to allow MLAs to utilize up to rs 25 lakh from their MLA scheme to provide relief and prevent spread of COVID-19, the EJNC requested the two MLAs of the district – Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla and Shitlang Pale – to help the poor and needy who are suffering in numerous ways because of the shutdown.

“We also urge the MDCs of JHADC to lend their helping hand in this time of crisis to ease the burden and pain of the public particularly the need,” it said.