For asking a family of seven (including a six-month-old baby) to “jungle quarantine”, the village authorities of Manad village in Meghalaya’s South West Khasi Hills district have tendered an unconditional apology to the family.
The South West Khasi Hills district administration conducted an inquiry after the alleged incident of jungle quarantine went viral on social media.
During the inquiry conducted by H Kerwood Thabah, extra assistant commissioner, the family and the village heads sat across together.
During the meeting, the village heads “tendered an apology to the family,” which the family accepted.
During the inquiry, it was found that the family’s 15-year-old daughter was under home quarantine after returning from Shillong.
However, the village heads asked the family to move to their “hut near their plantation” at Mawtangdiar which is 15 minutes away from their house at Manad village as a precaution.
The family collected food and necessities and shifted to their hut at Mawtangdiar.
However, a few days later they had to return to the village due to the requirement of food and medicine for the baby.
After their return, some youths came and interviewed the family on camera on their “jungle quarantine” which went viral.
“The deputy commissioner has directed all sector officers and the information education and communication (IEC) teams to intensify awareness, especially in remote areas of the district, so that there is no misunderstanding or doubt related to COVID-19, which may lead to similar misunderstandings or incidents,” stated the report.
