SHILLONG: The District Magistrate, South West Garo Hills, Ramakrishna Chitturi, IAS, has extended the curfew imposed in the district in exercise of the powers conferred upon him under section 144 Cr PC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Disease, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020.
In a press release, the District Magistrate informed that in order to place preventive measures to ensure social distancing in observance of the strict protocols of the advisories issued by the state government, Health & Family Welfare department, curfew has been extended in the whole of South West Garo Hills district from 6 am Saturday to 6 am on April 10.
The curfew imposed prohibits operation of all weekly and regular markets including commercial and financial establishments in South West Garo Hills district.
The prohibitory orders include banning of assembly or gathering of 5 or more persons in all public places, premises, commercial and residential localities beyond the Individuals households, operation of all forms of public transport in the entire district, movement of all private vehicles and autos (except those with valid car passes issued by the district magistrate and exempted categories listed above).
However the order will not be applicable to security forces, medical teams and essential services, MePDCL, PHE & PWD, Food & Civil Supply department and FCI staff, telecom, telegraph communication & IT services, NIC, print & electronic media, banks & ATMs, treasuries, vehicles carrying essential commodities, food items, medical equipments or other goods, home delivery and community delivery vehicles.
All essential service providers like pharmacies, groceries stores, vegetable and meat outlets shops identified by Bazaar Committee in consultation with localities elsewhere notified by BDOs in their respective Block can be opened from 7 am to 1 pm each day provided they are not located on main roads.
Meanwhile, East Garo Hills administration has also extended its curfew to April 7 across the district and issued orders to police to sternly act against private vehicles which are violating the ongoing lockdown.
Deputy commissioner Swapnil Tembe has issued an order extending the curfew and prohibiting the operation of all markets, gathering or assembling of people in groups, movement of public and private transport without valid pass in the district.
A separate order was also issued by the Deputy Commissioner empowering police and transport department teams to compound and fine all private vehicles that violate the ongoing curfew and lockdown orders.
A number of people within the district, particularly from Williamnagar, have been found violating the stay home rules and police have compounded a number of vehicles and imposed fine on the violators.
Widespread violation in
West Garo Hills
Though East Garo Hills has swiftly moved to curb the violation of the lockdown, the scene is much different in the west Garo Hills district where Assam traders stand accused of entry into villages to deal in the arecanut trade.
