NGOs criticise Govt over entry of outsiders during COVID-19 lockdown

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 20, 2021

Leading non-governmental organizations on Thursday blasted the state government for its alleged failure to restrict entry of people from outside the state during the lockdown period to contain further spread of the COVID-19.  

This came after many people, who mostly are migrant labourers, were apprehended by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) in separate incidents during the past 24 hours.

Over 21 labourers were apprehended by the KSU Eastern Border Area Circle from along the Shillong bye-pass in Bhoirymbong, Ri Bhoi district on Wednesday night.

According to its president Banjop Maring, almost all of them hailed from Darrang district of Assam and have come to the state in search of employment.

They have been identified as Moida Khatun (25), Alser Ali (24), Khatiza Khatun, Ali Hussain (23), Abdul Hussain (18), Azad Ali, Sahidul Islam (18), Hassan Ali (19), Dilal Hussain (18), Rofikul Islam (18), Jerul Hoque (27), Aisha Khatun, Yakup Ali (19), Ajmud Ali (19), Md Mojibur Rahman (40), Ajma Khatun (40), Harajar Khatun (25), Hasima Khatun (19), Esmina Khatun (18) and Hasmud Ali.

“While state government has imposed various restrictions on its citizens due to the COVID-19 pandemic to the extent that violators are being punished, surprisingly people from outside can freely enter the state as the restrictions seem not to be applicable for them,” Maring said.

“This trend is a matter of great concern as entry of people from outside is also seen to be one of the main reasons for the spread of COVID-19 in our state,” he said while adding that the KSU will continue to check and restrict entry of people from outside.

In another incident, the HYC Mawlai circle and Mawiong Unit have also apprehended and pushed back 10 persons coming from Assam in two sumo vehicles (ML 05 K 4083 and ML 05 K 1524). 

“These people informed that they had come to the state to work as labourers in the Mawdiangdiang area even as they claimed to have obtained special permits from the state government,” organizing secretary of the HYC Mawlai circle Shanbor Marwein said.

Slamming the state government for its alleged failure to restrict inter-state movement,  Marwein said, “The state government is imposing total lockdown to its citizens but at the same time it is welcoming people from outside through special permits.”

He further asked if the total lockdown is only applicable to residents of the state.