COVID-19: Now, ‘corona jail’ for quarantine violators in Tripura

Agartala: The state government has decided to take strict action against those violating home quarantine regulations, said law minister Ratan Lal Nath.

Speaking at a press conference, Nath said that on Friday a meeting was chaired by chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb to discuss on the present situation in state and measures required to deal with quarantine violators.

“It was decided that samples would be collected on random basis from those returning to the state and also ensure that everyone undergoes mandatory home quarantine with their family members. Violators would face strict legal action,” Nath said.

He also said that the government would not compromise with anyone violating the quarantine regulations and they would face legal action and even imprisonment as per law.

“All the home quarantine violators will be detained and put in a separate place for which a quarantine jail is being identified,” Nath added.

The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by the chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb in presence of the deputy chief minister Jishnu Dev Varma, chief secretary, and additional chief secretary had discussed on the steps that the administration would take as the stranded passengers return to state.

Earlier, CM Deb had also warned people to remain quarantined as advised by the health department. “Those who have been advised home quarantine are requested to follow the norms or else may undergo upto six months imprisonment,” Deb wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, the Central team, led by GK Medhi, on Friday started their field inspection and as part of their investigation visited Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital and the COVID-19 care centre to check on their preparedness.

Earlier, Tripura government had written a letter to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to visit state and conduct an investigation over the spread of COVID-19 in the BSF unit at Ambassa under Dhalai district.

A three-member team was deployed by the health ministry from North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, led by Professor GK Medhi, who arrived in Agartala on Thursday.

Speaking with reporters, Medhi, HoD of community medicine and team leader, said they have come here as part of the Central team to inspect the containment measures taken by the state government.

“We have held meetings with the senior officials and also visited the COVID-19 hospital and testing lab. We also visited some parts in the Dhalai districts and on Saturday the investigation process would continue. We have found the measures taken by the state government as satisfactory so far,” Medhi said.