SHILLONG: The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya has said the government should re-examine the matter of transfer of personnel of security forces, central government and bank employees, barring those belonging to the state, to Meghalaya in view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
In a letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the Council cited the state government attributing the growing cases to the movement /transfer of personnel belonging to para military forces and employees of banks and Central government. It asked the state government to take up the matter with the Prime Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Defence. It said those posted elsewhere in the country, but are citizens of the state be transferred back.
Transferring local residents back to the state would be a strategic way of controlling and reducing the scope of COVID-19 spread. This would help in reducing the constant movement of BSF personnel, troops, bank employees, Central government employees who are otherwise due for transfer or eligible for leave during this time of crisis, the letter signed by John F Kharshiing, Chairman, The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, said.
“If at all they were to take mandatory leave the individual would be travelling within the state if he/she belonged from Meghalaya. We understand there is a good number of locals from Meghalaya in these departments, this could be examined under the existing Disaster Management Act, 2005,” the letter stated.