Isn’t Assam Governor’s visit to Kokrajhar a breach of health ministry guidelines?

Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi’s visit to Kokrajhar travelling more than 200 kilometers from Guwahati today for a meeting with more than 30 organizations has raised questions on the part of the government regarding the implementation of the lockdown guidelines to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Governor Mukhi, 77, will meet a number of students’ organizations, political parties, and religious leaders on administrative/ security affairs/ law and order and COVID-19 situation amid this coronavirus outbreak which has infected 121 lives. Moreover, the governor will meet administrator, Principal Secretary, IGP, DIGP, all deputy commissioners, superintendent of police of the BTAD, and the authorities of all security agencies operating in the region.

Also read: Assam: Massive spike in coronavirus cases, 20 new cases reported

It may be mentioned that the Union Health Ministry had issued a health advisory listing some ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ stating the course of COVID-19 tends to be more severe in the case of the elderly people due to their decreased immunity and body reserves, as well as multiple associated comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. “Persons above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of ten years shall stay at home except for essential and health purposes,” the advisory states.

Following the Centre’s directives, the Assam government also repeatedly urged the children pregnant women and people of above 65 years old not to step out of their homes to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.

Also read: Corona Positives In India Cross 1 Lakh, Death Toll At 3,163

Meanwhile, reacting to his visit, the former three-time Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Tarun Gogoi said, “Definitely, the Assam Governor violated the guidelines. He should have set an example obeying the guidelines for the people of the state at this time of crisis.”

“The Governor did not obey the constitutional responsibility and breached the COVID-19 guidelines,” Gogoi said while adding that the Governor could have arranged video conferencing as the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is doing. “Coronavirus does care about your position or social status. Everybody must obey the guidelines,” the octogenarian leader said.

Also read: Tripura: Woman gives birth to baby girl onboard Shramik Special Train

Locals worried

Locals in Kokrajhar district questioned whether there are different COVID-19 guidelines for the state head, Chief Minister, and the ministers or they can change whenever they want. “How the state home department and health department granted the Assam Governor permission to visit at this time of health emergency since he is above 65,” a local said.

He further said his visit defying lockdown would incite people to violate the lockdown rules. “If it happens, we are marching towards a dark phase of life,” he added.

Also read: Lockdown 4.0: States freed to fix zones, night curfew to remain in force

Sudden surge in coronavirus cases

The state has witnessed a sudden surge in the positive COVID-19 cases in the last three days. A total of 20 new cases have been reported in the state so far today taking the total to 135 while four died due to the virus while on May 18, the state registered 15 cases on May 18 alone.

Meanwhile, 1,01,131 people have been infected with the virus and 3163 have died due to the virus across the country so far.

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