SHILLONG: Despite government advisory for social distancing to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus, MDCs of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) were seen gathering and shaking hands at the council hall during the special session on Tuesday.
This happened when they gathered around the newly-elected CEM, Titostarwell Chyne, to thank and felicitate him after returning to the hall following adjournment of the session till 1 pm.
Later in the evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a fervent appeal to the citizens of the country to stay at home for the sake of social distancing and thwart the coronavirus from spreading as he announced an unprecedented nationwide lockdown from midnight of Tuesday for 21 days.
The Chairman of the KHADC, PN Syiem, stressed that the MDCs should shorten their speech on account of the prevailing situation in the state which is under shutdown.
Going by his directive, few members took part in speeches.
Before the entrance to the council hall, hand wash and sanitisers were kept for the MDCs and other persons who enter the hall.
Moving the no-confidence motion, Pyniaid Syiem lauded the initiatives taken by the central and state government to contain the spread of the virus and expressed condolences to the states and countries battling with the virus.