Centre asks West Bengal govt to enforce lockdown strictly, objects to gradual 'dilution'
New Delhi/UNI/IBNS: Amid reports that West Bengal is not enforcing lockdown measures in some pockets of the state, the Centre on Saturday asked the Mamata Banerjee-led government to enforce containment measures in letter and spirit.
In a letter written to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police of the state, the Union Home Ministry asked West Bengal government to take appropriate measures, to prevent recurrence of violations in future.
The Centre objected to what it called 'gradual dilution' of lockdown in West Bengal and claimed that the local police allowed shops selling non-essential items to remain open and also permitted religious gatherings.
The Union Home Ministry also rued the fact that there has been no regulation in vegetable, fish and mutton markets and social-distancing norms have largely been violated at these places in the state.
''As per further reports received from security agencies, gradual dilution of lockdown has been reported from West Bengal, with an increase in the number of exceptions being provided by the state government,'' the Home Ministry said in the letter, adding that for instance, ''shops selling non-essential items have been allowed to function''.
The MHA said there has been no regulation in vegetable, fish and mutton markets, where people have been thronging, in complete violation of social-distancing norms in Rajabazaar, Narkel Danga, Topsia, Metiaburz, Gardenreach, Ikbalpur and Maniktala in Kolkata.
Significantly, areas such as Narkel Danga are reportedly witnessing more COVID-like cases.
''It has been reported that police have been allowing religious congregations. Free ration has been distributed not through the institutional delivery system, but by political leaders. This may have resulted in spread of COVID-19 infection,'' the letter further said.
The MHA said such activities are in violation of the Centre's consolidated guidelines issued from time to time under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and are also liable for penal action under the Act.
''It is requested that strict action be taken in the matter and a report in this regard may be furnished to this Ministry urgently,'' it added.
Meanwhile, when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was asked about the matter, she refused to comment.
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