2 July 2020, 12:05 pm
Covid 19 : Outside state guests entry without test amid Covid 19 draw ire
This article has been preserved from The Voice Of Sikkim historical news collection and reflects information available at the time of its original publication.
Outside state guests entry without test amid Covid 19 draw ire
Pakyong, 02 Jul : Five guests from Siliguri entry through Melli Checkpost in South Sikkim has draw criticism amid Covid 19 pandemic without undergoing health check, according to report these guests four adults and a kid were reportedly attending funeral at Jorethang. In this regard it is alleged that they were permitted thoroughfare from West Bengal side in Melli towards Melli South Sikkim which violates government rules and regulation during pandemic time. The social media saw thousands of reactions against the very unauthorized entry? of five of them after news appeared in certain section of Facebook pages.
While the State Govt is doing all level best to intensify awareness , safeguard against Coronavirus to public unfortunately the activity which took place on Wednesday at Melli South Sikkim is really bothering that too from frontline warrior Sikkim Police which has bigger role in entry point to checksum visitors from outside states.
Speaking to media during the press conference at capital Gangtok Sikkim Republican Party SRP President KB Rai lashed on authoritative negligence. Said guests participated in funeral procession at Jorethang of their relative due to which they pose threat to lives of innocent citizens who all were there in funeral, however now those 5 people are taken into quarantine after news broke out while already they've mixed up.
In this matter Rai when contacted Police source, he was informed said guests arrived at Melli checkpost who told police in Checkpost they have permission from higher level of state. While in one hand Political Advisor to Chief Minister Jacob Khaling claims Covid 19 as highly contagious disease in history urging everyone to cooperate and follow guidelines and Chief Minister himself vouch statement that whoever guests or his own family member shouldn't be allowed to enter Sikkim through check posts regardless whatever highhandedness but in reality such activity that occurred at Melli checkpost is highly condemning keeping the safety and interest of citizens at consolation, says KB Rai President of SRP. Today these advisory are stripped by authority , that is very unfortunate.
God Forbid, today Active Cases in state is below 100, what if tomorrow transmission escalates bizarrely ?, who is going to be held responsible for that menace ? Will those officers be held responsible ?, Rai added.
"I am sure our lower ranked police personnel aren't involved letting them inside without permission, it must be those top brass who all are involved in this or officer SHO at checkpost must explain how and why this negligence occurred and under whose high-level authority or direction? If it was blatantly mistake from checkpost authority in Melli then they should accept it, take responsibility under moral ground and be prepared to face the consequence for overruling state compliance. Fact behind negligence should be made totally clear to public, they must speak out what is fact. If that was a command from high-level over phone to permit those 5 people then said officer whomsoever should be held responsible in that case. High level officials be it Chief Secretary or Police DGP level cannot take innocent people's lives for granted in such a case.", claim KB Rai.
Such bizarre mockery of rules and regulation on tip-off highhandedness from the top berth officers of state expose uneven gratitude towards Government Policies, in long run that shall only hamper status quo of government system.
I appeal my concern in large interest and safety of people of Sikkim from this media conference to kindly pursue immediate action against errant involved in this discrepancy, reiterated KB Rai. No consideration to anyone since I have envisaged case of Sushmita Subba who was stranded across Rangpo border , she was asked to provide all essential document of identity? proving she's citizen of Sikkim , why law apply to poor only I ask Political Advisor to CM Jacob Khaling, who was advocating over Covid 19 safety in many media appearance