A CORRESPONDENT
HAFLONG: The new SOP issued by the Government of Assam came into force in the State from Sunday. As a result, shops, markets and restaurants are now closed at 11 o'clock instead of 12 o'clock in the day.
On Sunday, Deputy Commissioner Paul Barua, ASP Indranil Barua and Assistant Commissioner Ibon Teron went out to inspect the situation during curfew. At Sambhudhan Point at Haflong town on Sunday, Haflong Sadar Police Station OC Pawan Gayan chased away curfew violators with his team. Town Sub-Inspector Deepajyoti Sharma also took stern action against the violators at the taxi stand. Action was also taken against the owners of some bikes and cars on the same day.
Dima Hasao Additional Superintendent of Police Indranil Barua made it clear to the on-duty police officers that law-breakers should not be spared at all because the COVID situation in the State was a matter of serious concern. Therefore, in case of any emergency work, even if exemption is given on the basis of evidence, the police will take legal action after 12 pm.
Responding to a question from reporters, Additional Superintendent of Police Barua said, "If anyone breaks the rule and takes a car, legal action must be taken. People must abide by the government's policy guidelines to prevent COVID because the COVID graph of Dima Hasao district as well as the State is in an upward trend."
Meanwhile, a man named Banakanti Bhattacharya (69) died in Guwahati on Saturday after contracting COVID. When he was referred to Guwahati for better treatment, Bhattacharya's COVID report came negative on Monday morning. But he died at night.
The number of COVID patients in Dima Hasao district has risen to 474. Of these, 201 people have recovered. There are 251 active cases and 201 people are in home isolation. So far three people have died.