Despite the recent order issued by the State government banning all kinds of official, public and political gatherings in order to stem the spread of Covid-19, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma appeared to have flouted the same.
Sangma today visited Batabari village under Rajabala constituency where a big gathering was held in the presence of newly elected NPP legislator Abdus Saleh.
Pictures uploaded by Sangma on his Twitter account showed a large gathering of people from the village coming to listen to the address by the chief minister.
The chief minister tweeted that he went to the village to express gratitude to the people of the area.
“I spent over 7 days in the village during the last by-election for Rajabala constituency and the people treated me with utmost kindness,” he tweeted.
Similarly, a large gathering was also witnessed as Sangma inaugurated the new Community Health Centre (CHC) at Bhaitbari along with Saleh.
Pictures uploaded by the chief minister showed people thronging to get a glimpse at him as he enters the venue of the function to inaugurate the new CHC.
It is unclear why the inauguration could not be done virtually as was being done in the past due to the Covid situation.
Another gathering was held at Bolbokgre village under Selsella Block in West Garo Hills where Sangma interacted with villagers on “concerns of the area”.
It may be mentioned that the State government through an order issued by Chief Secretary Rebecca V. Suchiang on January 3 had prohibited holding of any “official, public and political gatherings” in the State in order to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
However, weddings are permitted at 50 per cent of the capacity in an enclosed space and a maximum of 100 persons for unenclosed/open space. Further, a maximum number of 50 persons are permitted for funerals.