A family in Raiganj town, North Dinajpur, who had been advised home quarantine roamed around freely, tore a quarantine notice pasted on their door threatened civic workers and misbehaved with neighbours before being warned of action by police.

Sources said a member of the family had returned from Bangalore, where she studies, on March 23 and the family had been advised home quarantine in keeping with a state government directive.

“On Wednesday we told the family to be in home quarantine and pasted a notice at the door to alert neighbours and relatives not to go inside. However, the family tore the poster at night,” said Shila Adhikary, the supervisor of the health department of Raiganj municipality.

When health workers went to the locality again on Thursday morning to put up a fresh poster, some “family members came out and attacked us”, she said.

“We would face problems if we put up a poster again, they told us. We had no option but to inform the local councillor,” Adhikary added.

When neighbours protested, the family misbehaved with them, alleged Shyamali Roy, a resident.

Later, the local councillor informed the police. “We are aware of the case. The family has been asked to stay indoors. If they violate the rules, legal steps will be taken against them,” said an officer of Raiganj police station.

A fresh poster has been put up.

A member of the family however, said some neighbours were putting “unnecessary pressure” on them.

“My daughter was screened twice during her air travel. She did not have any symptoms. Still some neighbours are trying to put unnecessary pressure on us,” said the girl’s father.