The People’s Task Force for COVID-19 (PTFC-19), while cautioning that the state may witness surge in COVID-19 cases with conclusion of the by-election, has urged the State Technical Committee to conduct mass testing of COVID-19 in all the four constituencies where by-elections were held.
“Many people violated standard operating procedure of COVID-19 while casting their votes and even while celebrating the victory of their candidates,” said a release issued by publicity and propaganda in charge PTFC-19 M Angamba Meitei on Tuesday.
The release stated that the home department has also failed to check and disperse mass gatherings during the by-elections when many markets of the state are still closed in view of the pandemic.
When volunteers of PTFC-19 conducted an awareness campaign at Bazar areas of Thoubal district on Tuesday, it was observed that most of the people did not wear masks and did not maintain physical distancing.
Besides, it was also observed that there were also people gambling on the roadside, even in the presence of police personnel, the release stated.
The PTFC-19 also mounted pressure on the state government to take necessary actions against the people who violated the SOP.
By-elections were held in Wangoi, Wangjing Tentha, Lilong and Saitu on November 7 and the votes were counted and results announced on Tuesday.
