GUWAHATI: Kamrup (M) DC Biswajit Pegu held an emergency meeting with the Bihu organizing committees. The administration expressed concern about flouting COVID SOPs.
Now, police personnel would monitor if the committees are following the COVID protocol or not. Rs 1000 fine has been imposed on people found without masks. The administration has once again reiterated the need for thermal screening at the Bihu function locations.
The meeting was held following a letter from the CEO of Assam Disaster Management Authority, Gyanendra Tripathi requesting all Deputy Commissioners of Assam to hold meetings with the Bihu organizing committees to ensure proper implementation of the SOPs issued earlier to help celebrate Bihu in a safe manner amid rising COVID number.
CEO Tripathi mentioned implementing Rs 1000 fine as per the NDMA Act for any violation of COVID protocols like not wearing face masks or not maintaining social distance.
There have been reports of various Assamese artists violating the COVID-19 protocols during their live shows on the occasion of the festival of Rongali Bihu.
Meanwhile, the Government of Assam had recently issued a standard operation protocol (SOP) which ought to be strictly adhered to by all parties keeping in mind that India is under the demonic grasp of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the reports, among the artists who violated the SOP issued by the government are multi-talented Assamese actor and singer Deeplina Deka who performed at Hajo till 11:25 PM, Sanjay Das is popularly known as Neil Akash who performed at Kharguli till 11:30 PM, popular vocalist Priyanka Bharali who performed till 1 AM at Pandu, singer Gitanjali Das who performed at Noonmati till 12 AM and singer Achurjya Borpatra who performed on stage till 11.55 PM in Baragaon.
Recently, Assam Health Minister warned the Bihu Committees threatening to file FIR against them if they fail to adhere to the COVID-19 protocol and the standard operating procedure (SOP) as issued by the government. He said that if any Bihu function happens to extend beyond the designated time of 11 PM, FIR would be lodged against the Bihu organizing committee. Sarma said, "Those who point fingers at the law will unnecessarily have to run to the court for 3-4 years."