Meghalaya police station closed down after official tests COVID-19 positive

Guwahati: After a police official of the Saipung police station in East Jaintia Hills tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, July 12, the station was closed down temporarily.

GK Iangrai, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, said that all the officials of the police station have been placed under medical observation all official works of the police station have been shifted to the Umpleng Anti-Dacoity Camp.

He further informed that the police station was disinfected as per protocols and once the establishment has been declared fit for re-occupation, the police station will be opened for official works", Iangrai said and urged the people residing within the jurisdiction of the police station to approach the Umpleng AD Camp in case of an emergency.

This incident came to the force after the Meghalaya police force denied reports about two of its personnel testing positive for the dreaded virus, stating that only one person had tested positive.

None of the police officials from West Garo Hills had tested positive for COVID-19, Iangrai said, informing that "only one" police official posted in the state was found to be carrying the virus. The COVID-19 positive case of a police officer in the state is that of an official currently posted in East Jaintia Hills, who on returning from his parent district West Garo Hills, was directed to undergo medical screening as per protocol, Iangrai said, adding that the official is under medical observation.

According to Iangrai, directions were also issued by the department to all districts and units to strictly adhere to the protocols and guidelines of COVID-19 and enforce them accordingly.

Sixteen more people, including 12 BSF personnel, tested positive for Covid-19 in Meghalaya on Sunday, raising the caseload to 259. To date, 2 fatalities have been reported from the Northeast Indian state.

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