Meghalaya govt cancels decision to re-open religious places

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 9, 2020

The state government has decided not to allow re-opening of religious places following increase in COVID-19 positive cases in the state. 

The decision was taken at a meeting convened by the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma with leaders of various religious organizations on Tuesday. 

Earlier, a decision to re-open places of worship from June 14 was taken in the first meeting held with religious groups on Friday last week. 

Subsequently, the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for re-opening of places of worship has also been issued to all religious organizations.

“We have unanimously decided that re-opening of places of worship or religious places will not be allowed and the last decision taken on June 5 stands cancelled,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters after the meeting. 

Tynsong said the decision was taken based on the views and suggestions expressed by the respective religious groups in the meeting. 

Asked, the deputy chief minister said it is not a question that the government has taken a hasty decision to re-open the places of worship from June 14. 

“Let me remind you that on June 5, we had call a meeting and religious groups that time all agreed that we should re-open from June 14. However, today after due consultation they were of the opinion that we should allow re-opening of religious places in view of the prevailing situation in the state,” Tynsong said. 

According to him, all religious organizations have unanimously expressed concern about the health safety of the people.