The Meghalaya government, along with various religious groups, on Tuesday decided to postpone the decision to reopen places of worship.

On June 5, the first meeting between the government and representatives of religious groups decided to reopen the places of worship from June 14 onwards. These places were shut since the first lockdown began towards the end of March.

However, after the second meeting held here on Tuesday, it was decided that the reopening of such places should be kept in abeyance at least till the end of this month.

“A majority of the religious leaders representing churches, temples, mosques felt that we should postpone the decision of reopening the places of worship from June 14,” chief minister Conrad K. Sangma said.

He said the decision to reopen the places of worship was revisited keeping in mind the priority that has been given to health and safety, and the fact that many stranded citizens are still on their way back to Meghalaya.

Conrad said the places of worship will not be reopened till the end of this month.

Towards the end of the month, a consultation would be held to decide the way forward.

There were many who had expressed concern over the decision to reopen the places of worship from June 14 onwards although the state government had issued the standard operating procedures and protocol that need to be observed by all such places.