The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance over a media report related to lack of government support to community quarantine centres run by various Dorbar Shnongs and issued a notice to the Chief Secretary to cause an effective enquiry into the matter.
MHRC chairperson Justice T Vaiphei while reacting to a media report said that the Commission was of the view that there is a strong likelihood that lack of support to the community quarantine centres could further result in the spread of COVID-19, thereby exposing the volunteers and the community assisting the inmates of the community quarantine centres to a greater risk of infection.
“Right to life is a fundamental right as mandated by Article 21 of the Constitution and it is therefore imperative that the state government undertake necessary steps to alleviate the current state of affairs in the community quarantine centres to ensure that the COVID-19 does not further spread within the community,” the Commission
A notice has been issued to the Meghalaya Chief Secretary to cause an effective enquiry to be conducted into the entire matter by an officer of the rank of Commissioner & Secretary and submit a detailed report thereof that would reach the State Commission within 30 days from the date of receipt of the notice.
Earlier, the state government has decided to provide financial assistance of Rs 5000 to each active community quarantine centre.
In Meghalaya, various Community COVID-19 Management Teams were constituted by the Dorbar Shnongs and took care of the stranded citizens who stay in community quarantine centres after they returned to the state.