Report by 7 April morning or else face legal action: Assam Police to Nizamuddin Markaj attendees

April 6: An urgent alert was issued by the Assam Police on Monday evening. In the alert all those who attended the Islamic congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz and also those who have recently been to any other state or country were directed to report to their nearest hospital or call Help Line 104 by 6 AM on 7 April, 2020, failing which strict legal action will be taken against the concerned individuals. Action will also be initiated against those who would provide shelter to such individuals.

In a social media post, Assam Police wrote, “This is the final appeal to those people, who have come to Assam after  being present at the Nizamuddin Markaz or have been to a State or  Country affected by COVID-19, recently. All such individuals are requested to present themselves at the nearest Hospital or PHC by 6 am tomorrow, i.e. April 7, 2020 morning. They may also call on Helpline No. 104 for informing the authorities of their presence and condition. If such persons deliberately fail to present themselves by the given deadline, 6 am on April 7, 2020 or inform the authorities, strict legal action will be taken against the concerned individuals.”

In the alert message, Assam Police also wrote, “Anybody who has given shelter to such persons or those having knowledge of such travel history being hidden will face legal action under relevant provisions of IPC & Disaster Management Act 2005. Assam Police would also like to thank those socially responsible citizens who have come forward and presented themselves or shared information or appealed to their fellow citizens to come forward and made voluntary declaration of travel history.

During a press briefing by state Health Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, it was informed that Assam government has got 4 lists related to Nizamuddin attendees, which contain names of 556 persons.By means of local surveillance, Assam govt got information about another 275 Markaz attendees, which takes the total tally to 831. Out of these 831, 50 people has still not returned to Assam and another 100 persons were not directly related with Nizamuddin Markaz religious congregation.

The minister stated, “That means a total of 617 such attendees needs to be tested. Out of this, 491 samples were tested and 128 more tests were to be performed. In entire Assam, till now 2000 samples were tested, out of which 1809 tested negative and only 26 persons tested positive. Out of 26 positive cases, 25 were related to Nizamuddin Markaz.”