Assam tracing Tablighi Jamaat attendees: Himanta Biswa Sarma

GUWAHATI: With new cases of COVID-19 reported on Friday, the Assam government has started tracing those who came to Assam on March 21 and 22 from the religious meeting of Tablighi Jamaat Markaz in Delhi's Nizamuddin West.

Out of 24 cases of COVID-19 in Assam, 23 had a travel history that can be traced back to Tablighi Jamaat Markaz. Assam health minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Out of the four cases which came up on early on the day Friday, three people are not residents of Assam. They are from Uttar Pradesh and had come to Nalbari in Assam after attending Jamaat. ”

He said, “In Tablighi Jamaat Markaz, people from one state go to other states for religious teaching. Accordingly, these people had come on March 21 and 22. Such people go stay in Masjid (mosque) and from there they move to villages for teaching. We are tracing such people who have come and stayed in different masjid. There are several such people.”


The health minister said, “We have already been able to trace and take necessary measures for 488 people who had attended the religious function on March 10, 11 and 12. Around 15 people were not traceable, however I am informed we have been able to trace these people by Friday.”

Sarma who visited Golaghat on Friday said, “There were complaints that some COVID-19 patients are spiting here and there in the hospital. I have made them aware this is not acceptable, as doctors will be offended and the government is taking good care of the patients. To counter this behaviour, these people are not looked after by some. On social media, their food and treatment is video graphed.”

Sarma hinted that the 21-day lockdown will not be extended beyond April 14. “Lockdown will not be increased; Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the state government to talk to the people, doctors, social workers and intellectuals as to what is the alternative to the lockdown.”

He added, “Can school and university be kept closed for some time more, Cinema halls closed, can offices operate with 50 percent work force? In government offices, 50% of the people who come are for transfer and posting. Can we have a policy where till coronavirus is there, there is no transfer posting?"

He added, “We can keep Cinema halls closed for some time, beauty parlours can be kept shut. There cannot be public functions, daily markets regulated . Life will go on. However there will be self-restriction.”