MHRC directs inquiry into lack of govt support to CQCs

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 24, 2020

The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has directed the state’s chief secretary MS Rao to set up an enquiry into the alleged lack of government support to the community quarantine centres (CQCs).

A statement issued on Wednesday said that MHRC headed by its chairperson Justice T Vaiphei has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter.

“Notice has been issued to the Chief Secretary to cause an effective enquiry to be conducted into the entire matter by an officer of the rank of Commissioner & Secretary and submit the detailed report…within 30 days,” it said.

It may be mentioned here that the community quarantine centres are being set up by the different traditional village dorbars in the state.

The Commission said it is of the view that there is a strong likelihood that lack of support to the community quarantine centres could further result in the spread of COVID-19, thereby exposing the volunteers and the community assisting the inmates of the community quarantine centres to greater risk of infection.

Stating that Right to Life is a Fundamental Right as mandated by Article 21 of the Constitution, the MHRC said it is therefore imperative that the state government undertake necessary steps to alleviate the current state of affairs in the community quarantine centres to ensure that the COVID-19 does not further spread within the community.