MLA, others demand relocation of COVID-19 testing centre

SHILLONG: A meeting convened on Friday by North Shillong MLA, Adelbert Nongrum, with community members of Jail Road, Oakland and Police Bazar has called for relocation of the testing centre opposite Marba Hub in Khyndai Lad to more spacious Municipal parking lot opposite to SBI main branch.
The members also deplored the fact that the government does not consult the MLAs and other community members while taking steps to tackle the pandemic.
Suggesting that the state government should be more transparent with the details of COVID-19 positive patients, the members gave the thumbs down to the government’s statement about Khyndai Lad being rendered as centre for COVID-19.
They said the statement does not go well since the cases reported in Khyndai Lad are not from the community residing within the periphery but from the COVID-19 centre located opposite Marba Hub.
It was also suggested that all activities from Jail Road petrol pump till Hotel Polo Towers should be closed down for three days starting Saturday.
The proceedings of the meeting, which were later shared with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, also recommended that the quarantine centre at Ruprekha should be shut down immediately as the decision was taken without consultation with community members.