Assam MP Biswajit Daimary writes to Home Secretary over Governor’s visit to Kokrajhar ‘breaching’ guidelines

The Rajya Sabha MP from Assam Biswajit Daimary, while saying that the Governor Jagdish Mukhi visited Kokrajhar defying the lockdown rules on May 19, dashed off a letter to the Home Secretary, Government of India, urging to clarify the lockdown guidelines.

“The Governor is 77. How could he visit a district and held a meeting with around 29 organizations defying the guidelines of Health Ministry laid down for the elderly people?” the Bodoland Peoples’ Front leader questioned.

Also read: Isn’t Assam Governor’s Visit To Kokrajhar A Breach Of Health Ministry Guidelines?

He further questioned whether there is a different set of rules for the state head or any other ministers in the country during the lockdown.

Besides, he said that this act will incite people to violate the guidelines set by the Health Ministry to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19.

It may be mentioned that the Union Health Ministry had issued an advisory listing some ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ stating the course of COVID-19 tends to be more severe in the case of the elderly people due to their decreased immunity and body reserves, as well as multiple associated comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. “Persons above 65 years of age, persons with comorbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of ten years shall stay at home except for essential and health purposes,” the advisory states.

Also read: PM-KISAN Scheme’s Probe By Assam Govt Shows Flawed Systems In Place

Following the Centre’s directives, the Assam government also repeatedly urged the children pregnant women and people of above 65 years old not to step out of their homes to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.

Meanwhile, reacting to his visit, the former three-time Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Tarun Gogoi said, “Definitely he violated the guidelines. He should have set an example obeying the guidelines for the people of the state at this time of crisis.”

Also read: Assam: Massive Spike In Coronavirus Cases, 20 New Cases Reported

“The Governor did not obey the constitutional responsibility and breached the COVID-19 guidelines,” Gogoi said while adding that the Governor could have arranged video conferencing as the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is doing. “Coronavirus does care about your position or social status. Everybody must obey the guidelines,” the octogenarian leader said.

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