SHILLONG, April 21: The electric crematorium on Wednesday evening became witness to an altercation between the staffers and the family of a COVID-19 victim.
The family of the victim, who was cremated on Wednesday, alleged that they were disallowed from seeing the face of the deceased the last time. The family members also accused the employees at the crematorium of hurling abuses and threats.
When contacted, president of the Greater Shillong Crematorium and Mortuary Society, JL Das, said the family members wanted to uncover the body of the deceased when it is prohibited.
Adding that the family did not have permission from competent authority to uncover the body, Das said the staffers are just conforming to the rules of barring entry of others inside the premises when the body is being cremated. He also said that they will soon petition the authorities for adequate security whenever a COVID-19 victim is brought to the crematorium.
Local cabbies warned
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo has warned local taxi drivers against violating COVID-19 protocols while asking the citizenry to report any such case of violation to the office of the DC or the nearest police station.
The DC, in a statement on Wednesday, said that complaints of violation of COVID protocols by cabbies were received earlier.
“Taxi drivers are to comply with the seating capacity as prescribed by the Transport department, wear masks without fail and use hand sanitiser regularly. They will also display the rate chart published by the District Transport Officer prominently in the vehicle,” the statement said.
The DC has also warned that failing to display the rate chart may entail suspension of license.
VAX DRIVE: PERMISSION FOR VENUE
The office of the District and Medical Health Officer has requested the Headman of Jail Road to allow the use of the community hall on Saturday and Sunday to conduct the vaccination drive against COVID-19.
The drive aims to make COVID vaccine easily accessible to target population of age group 45 years and move, it said in the letter addressed to the headman.
Addl restrictions on permitted activities in WGH
The West Garo Hills district administration on Wednesday imposed additional restrictions on permitted activities after the order for the same was issued by the state Political department in view of the rising cases of Covid-19.
The revised restrictions on permitted activities include the Registration of all persons entering the district including residents in the Meghalaya Covid-19 portal — http://meghalayaonline.gov.in/covid/login.htm.
Meanwhile, the maximum number of persons allowed during any religious or social or private gatherings has been decreased to 50 persons or one-third the capacity, whichever is less for indoors and 100 persons or one-third the capacity, whichever is less for outdoors and the concerned parties should obtain prior permission from the deputy commissioner and ensure that SOPs for social distancing are in place and strictly followed.
For outdoor sports, spectators are permitted upto 100 persons or one-third the capacity, whichever is less. Further, cinema halls will have to operate at one-third the seating capacity and places of worship may continue to function at 50 per cent of the seating capacity, provided they strictly adhere to the Covid-19 protocols.
