Assam: Hundreds Turn Up at Dispur for Distribution of 'Free Rice' in Gross Violation of Social Distancing Norms

Dispur, March 30, 2020:

At a time when the entire country has hit panic mode in light of light of the outbreak of the new coronavirus or COVID-19, hundreds if not thousands today flocked to Assam capital Dispur in a bid to grab rice. In a gross violation of the social distancing guidelines laid down by the WHO, scores of Assamese reached the area that had been earmarked for the rice distribution. However, it later came to light that the distribution was only planned for the worst-hit daily wage laborers, and as the information was "fake" and the people were forced to return empty-handed.

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Citizens of Guwahati, Assam, failed to comply with social distancing norms amid the COVID-19 scare, and a red alert was raised when the people, in a mad scramble to grab the rice, did not maintain the recommended distance of 1 metre. This has raised the red alarm as the COVID-19 is said to spread via close contact.

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An Inside Northeast source has informed us that the distribution had been planned by the Government to "help" the daily wage laborers such as rickshaw pullers and manual laborers who live hand-to-mouth. However, when a local gaon burha disclosed that free would be given out, people from all walks of life came for the distribution. Later, police dispersed the crowd who had been waiting for several hours and the beneficiaries will now be given the supplies in pouches which will be delivered to their homes, our source further informed.

A lady who had gone to collect the "free rice", said that she had queued up since 6 am. "People should be informed that the coronavirus spreads from one to another. No one is following the norms here", she said.

"We heard that rice would be distributed here. We came at 7, but now, we found out that we will be given rice on 1 (April). They should make provisions for distribution of essentials to the doorstep. That is what they should do; now, they will charge people on the streets if we break curfew, but they are saying that come, collect supplies from this spot and that spot", said another man who had gone to collect the rice.

Meanwhile, accusations have now been levelled at the Assam Government for not clarifying the situation to the locals, desperate to make ends meet amid a period of recession. Furthermore, the Government directives are yet to reach the masses are the publicity mechanism of the Government, who goes into overdrive mode in lead up to elections, has not been working round the clock for sensitization like it should.

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Meanwhile, there have been reports of over 7 lakh cases of the COVID-19 across the country; over 33,000 people of those infected have died due to complications. In India, over 1,000 COVID-19 infections have been reported, and the death toll has risen to 29.

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