The Sadou Asam Karmachari Parishad, the state’s biggest government employees’ association, on Sunday appealed to Dispur to deploy paramilitary forces along with police in sensitive areas to stop assault on health department workers by unruly people.

In a statement, the Parishad expressed concern about reports of assault of emergency services workers by unruly people who are often defying the lockdown orders announced to control the spread of novel coronavirus.

Hajo police in Kamrup district on Sunday arrested Shahrukh Khan, who had allegedly attacked two health department employees who advised him to strictly follow home quarantine. The workers had spotted Khan, who returned home from Bihar a few days back, in a public place.

The All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) also appealed to the state government to strictly enforce the lockdown. AAMSU adviser Azizur Rahman said it was the duty of everybody to cooperate with the government during this critical moment.

“People are coming out of their homes and gathering in markets in some places. Such incidents have also occurred in minority-dominated areas. This is unfortunate,” he said. Rahman said the lockdown was a welcome move to check the spread of Covid-19, which has claimed over 30,000 lives globally.

Along with the police, the excise department also cracked the whip against illegal liquor on Sunday. Officials destroyed country liquor dens, whipped liquor sellers in various parts of the state and in one case in Golaghat district poured liquor on two alleged sellers.

Assam Rajyik Prathomik Sishak Sanmilani on Sunday launched a movement through which each teacher will contact at least 10 guardians over phone and explain the exigency of the lockdown, precautionary measures to be followed and inquire about the students’ lessons.

Chief secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna on Sunday presided over a meeting of the state-level task force on combating coronavirus here, which discussed the measures being taken to check the pandemic. He also took stock of the lockdown situation with the deputy commissioners through video-conferencing and instructed them to make available all essential commodities.

Sadou Asom Sanmilita Sishak Mancha members and employees of Gauhati University decided to donate their one-day salary to the state government to combat the virus.