The Assam government has announced stricter curbs bordering on lockdown to check the alarming Covid-19 situation in the state, including slapping attempt-to-murder charge on anyone hosting functions and parties in violation of safety protocols.

Section 307 of the IPC deals with attempt to murder. It is a non-bailable cognisable offence and one could face up to 10 years in jail and more if convicted.

The fresh standard operation procedure (SOP) to check Covid-19 was decided at the first cabinet meeting held under newly-appointed chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday evening but was announced by chief secretary Jishnu Barua and DGP BJ Mahanta on Wednesday.

The cabinet had decided against lockdown for now.

Mahanta, appealing to the masses to adhere to safety protocols, said the police will act tough against anybody violating the SOP and especially those secretly holding functions and parties.
“We will book them under stringent sections, beyond Sec 144 and ASDMA Act. If anybody dares to secretly host big functions, they will be booked for attempt to murder for conspiring against the society and betrayal of the country, irrespective of his/her standing in the society.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with former chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal at the latter’s residence in Guwahati on Wednesday to “seek his blessings and guidance” Telegraph picture

“We will also not shy away from resorting to lathicharge if there is crowding in public places,” he said.

The police chief later told The Telegraph that they have reports of people holding secret get-together at farm-houses/resorts attracting huge crowd in violation of Covid protocols.

“We cannot allow this. This is crisis time. There are also reports of closed shops carrying out their business from inside. We will also act against them,” he said.

The idea behind the attempt-to-murder announcement is to send a message to the public that the administration will strictly enforce the safety regulation since cases have soared since
April 4.

Though the government started tightening the curbs soon after the three-phase assembly polls ended on April 6, caution was thrown to the wind during campaigning by all political leaders cutting across party lines. Huge rallies were held.

On April 4, the number of active Covid cases was only 617 but it has gone up to 39,264 till Tuesday.

Tuesday saw the highest single-day spike of 6258 and death of 85 persons.

If cases continue to grow steeply for couple of weeks, existing infrastructure could be come under huge strain, sources said.

If positivity cases reaches five per cent in one week, the district administration will declare the area a containment zone.

The fresh measures coming into force from Thursday include:

‣ All shops and commercial establishments to close down by 1 pm.

‣ Curfew hours will start from 2pm to 5am. Complete ban on movement except those engaged in emergency services or during exigencies

‣ Private vehicles to be allowed on odd-even basis except for medical emergencies between 5am and 2pm. In Guwahati, it will start with odd number from Thursday.

‣ No weekly haats/bazaars for 15 days.

‣ No physical class in educational Institutions for 15 says.

‣ Maximum 10 persons to be allowed for weddings/funerals/last rites. No reception parties post or pre wedding.

‣ Ban on pillion riding. Buses to operate at 30 per cent seat capacity

‣ Religious places to remain closed for 15 days

The day also saw chief minister Sarma assigned the districts his cabinet colleagues will have to visit to take stock of cases, assess the adequacy of healthcare facilities to meet the present and anticipated number of Covid cases besides guiding and supporting the district administration by coordination with the health and other departments.

Sarma will himself monitor the Covid-19 situation in Majuli, the Upper Assam constituency represented by his predecessor Sarbananda Sonowal.

“The ministers will keep the chief minister and health minister informed about the situation on a regular basis,” the government said.

Keshab Mahanta of the AGP is the new health minister, a post held by Sarma in the Sonowal government like Finance and Education. He has allotted finance to Ajanta Neog, the first woman to lead the department in the state, and education department to Ranuj Pegu.

The Sarma-headed cabinet has decided to meet every Wednesday from 11am to 1pm except when the chief minister is out of station.

On Tuesday, the cabinet constituted two committees to prepare the road map for implementation of two pre-poll promises — one lakh job and waiver of microfinance loan.