PANJIM: Notwithstanding criticism for repeatedly refusing to impose a lockdown amidst the rise in COVID-19 cases, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, during a virtual meeting with Goa Police on Tuesday, reiterated his stand.
“Goa will not undergo lockdown. People should not panic buy essentials. Goa Police should create awareness among the people to follow all COVID-19 related appropriate behavior and not crowd the markets and shops,” said a police official, quoting CM during the meeting.
CM Sawant chaired the virtual meet with Director General of Police Mukesh Kumar Meena, Deputy Inspector General of Police Paramaditya and Chief Secretary Parimal Rai and police inspectors from across all police stations to underscore the importance of COVID-19 guidelines and protocols to curb the spread of the virus.
With no lockdown and no restrictions on economic activities, the government has however, decided to regulate large public gatherings. Marriages with not more than 50 persons and funeals with a maximum 20 persons in attendance are allowed while all other activities such as sports tournaments, parties, etc are banned.
“The police and district administration have the powers to remove the additional number of persons at these events. Similarly, if a marriage hall has attendees more than permissible capacity, penalty will be imposed to whoever concerned,” Sawant said while speaking to the media after the meeting, at his official residence.
Asked about the violation reported at certain places during the victory celebration post-municipality election results, CM stated he has pulled up the department for not acting against the violation. “I have questioned them (police). They should have taken action for violating the law in force,” he added.
The officials are further directed to strictly implement Section 144 CrPC and the night curfew, assuring that police or district administration will not succumb to political pressure in this connection. The authorities have been asked to ensure all COVID-19 protocols are duly followed and ensure creating awareness to remain safe from the virus.
He has also urged that pujas and namaz be held at homes rather than crowding the religious places.
With the police being at the forefront to ensure enforcement of the law, the government has decided to make available N-95 masks to all.
To another media query about Health Minister Vishwajit Rane’s apprehensions on possible surge in deaths in the coming days and request for a one-month lockdown, CM declined to comment. “Ask him (Rane),” he said.
Rane, on Monday, had insisted on a lockdown considering the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths, however, CM refused to heed the request.
On Tuesday, Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte slammed the CM for not imposing a lockdown despite a grim situation pan-Goa. In his tweet, Khaunte said, “@DrPramodPSawant will delay Lockdown by atleast a week just to save himself from being targeted for issuing #Lockdown immediately after election results and thus the hints of imminent lockdown trickle from HM. Why play hide-n-seek risking more Goan lives when immediate Lokdown is need of the hour?”
