Meghalaya: FIRs against 41 wedding guests who partied at Greenwood Resort in Guwahati

Guwahati: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong today said that FIRs will be filed against 41 people from Meghalaya who had attended a wedding party at the Greenwood resort in Guwahati, Assam.

"We discussed the marriage party that happened on the 27th of last month and also the subsequent reception at the residence on the 2nd of this month. I am happy to inform all of you that the inquiry report was received by the Government, and after receiving the report from the DCs of both Nongpoh and Shillong, we have decided that immediate FIR have to be filed by the Deputy Commissioner of Shillong against all the 41 members who attended the marriage ceremony at Greenwood Resort in Guwahati", Tynsong told media during an afternoon briefing. The Deputy CM further added that the DCs will file the FIRs against the 41 people "and let the law take its own course."

"In regards to the Greenwood incident, I have directed the DC of EKH to take necessary action against the violators as per the relevant provisions of the IPC, Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, #COVID_-19 Regulations, 2020 & the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897", Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma subsequently announced on Twitter.

Out of the 41 people from Meghalaya, who attended the marriage ceremony on June 27, two have tested COVID-19 positive, leading to a widespread outcry on social media. At the same time, dollops of criticism have also been leveled at the Government for its alleged lapse in allowing such a thing to happen.

Earlier in the week, the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Matsiewdor War, said they have heard about a staff of the Greenwood Resort who was tested positive on June 25, adding that officials were aware that the wedding was to be held in this very resort that lies in the Assam-Meghalaya border.

The Government initiated contact tracing, which revealed that several dozens had crossed the border to Assam to take part in the wedding party. However, it has been reported that the revelers had applied for a one-way transit pass, which has left many baffled as to how these guests were allowed to re-enter Meghalaya. A magisterial inquiry was initiated to probe into the matter, and Tynsong today said that "evidence" is there to file FIRs against the party-goers.

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