TURA, Dec 8: Churches of various denominations in Tura have raised the need for strict adherence to government’s COVID-19 protocols during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The plea was raised during a meeting called by the West Garo Hills District Administration at DRDA Hall in Tura.
The meeting was convened in order to seek views and opinions of all stakeholders, especially Church and community leaders, so that a resolution can be adopted to safely celebrate the festival amid the pandemic.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, during the meeting, pointed out that the consensus for SOPs was required more so due to the fact that the celebration in Garo Hills was unique with the practice of community feasts, gathering of people in large numbers and engaging in Songkritan dances.
The Deputy Commissioner also sounded a warning to the ones indulging in drunken driving during the festivals.
He said random tests would be conducted on them and if found COVID-19 positive, they will be sent to quarantine centres.
Singh, however, assured that nobody would be harassed unnecessarily.
Meanwhile, according to the Superintendent of Police, Dr MGR Kumar, Police will soon augment patrols, especially in Tura, to avert any possible untoward incident.
Kumar also urged community leaders to keep a check on social menaces and report such incidents to police control room number (8837423053) or helpline number (100).
