TURA: Curfew under Section 144 CrPC together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Disease, Covid-19 regulations, 2020 has been extended in East Garo Hills till 6 AM of April 18.
The curfew which came into force from 6 AM of April 16 will continue with all prohibitions and exemptions which were put in place in the earlier curfew imposed in the district.
Under the curfew, sale Groceries in retail stores, vegetables, fruits, milk, meat, animal feed and agriculture machinery will be allowed from 8 AM to 12 noon, while the timing for wholesalers will be from 12 PM to 2 PM.
A separate Advisory, directing the people to wear facemasks/covers in all public places and work places has also been issued in the district by Deputy Commissioner, Swapnil Tembe. The advisory also directed all persons in charge of public places, work places and transport to ensure social distancing and urged organizations and managers of public places to disallow the gathering of 5 or more persons. Informing that funerals will be regulated by the concerned Magistrates on duty, the advisory added that not more than 20 people will be allowed for the same. Further, spitting in public places has also been strictly prohibited. All the guidelines in the advisory are to be followed till 6 AM of May 3.
In West Garo Hills, a similar order under Section 144 CrPC together with the Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Disease, COVID-19 Regulations 2020 prohibiting inter-state and inter-district movement of private vehicles except for medical reasons and with valid car passes was issued by the District Magistrate.
The order which is already in place from 6 AM of Thursday will remain in force till 6 AM of April 20.
As per the order, all educational, training, coaching institutions, etc shall remain closed, but these establishments are expected to maintain the academic schedule through online teaching. Moreover, all religious places and places of worship shall be closed and all religious congregations are strictly prohibited.
In the case of funerals, congregation of more than twenty persons are not to be permitted and a prohibition has been issued against the assembly or gathering of 5 (five) or more persons in all public places, premises, commercial and residential localities beyond the individual households.
The closure of all weekly markets, regular markets, commercial and financial establishments in West Garo Hills District, (Tura Main Market and other highway main market including those in the Meghalaya-Assam border) has also been ordered.
However, the order as usual, exempts certain agencies and departments including Security forces, Medical teams on duty and Pharmacies, MePDCL, Public Health Engineering (PHE), PWD, Police and Armed Forces, Fire & Emergency Services, Food and Civil Supplies department and FCI Staff, Tura Municipal Board, Telecom, Telegraph Communication, IT Services, NIC, Print and Electronic Media, Banks & ATM, Treasury and all Postal Services, Vehicles carrying Essential Commodities, food items, medical equipments or other goods, Home delivery, Community delivery vehicles with valid passes issued by the District Administration.
The collection, processing and distribution and sale of milk and milk products, grocery stores, vegetable and meat outlet shops identified by TMB in consultation with localities elsewhere notified by BDO’s in their respective blocks (Not on the Main Road) will be allowed from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM each day while Saturday and Sunday has been declared total curfew in the entire district. Any person defying the total curfew has been warned that proceedings will be initiated against them as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC and other legal provisions as applicable.
While directing everyone to Stay At Home, the District Magistrate, West Garo Hills also advised the people to wear Mask and Cover their mouths when coming out in emergency which is mandatory until further orders.