Odisha DGP Warns Returnees Of Stern Action For Quarantine Norms Violation; Watch Migrants Creating Ruckus

Bhubaneswar: Hours after a TikTok video from a quarantine centre in Bhadrak went viral, Odisha DGP Abhay on Monday said that any conduct endangering safely of others in the context of COVID-19 will be strongly dealt with as per law.

“Our hospitality of returnees does not mean leniency towards negligent. My appeal to all returnees to follow the laid down norms while in quarantine,” he tweeted.

Earlier in the day. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had appealed to the migrants to strictly abide by the rules. “A slight carelessness will put the society in danger,” he had said.

The TikTok video was shot at a school, which was converted into a quarantine centre in Bhatapada panchayat to house close contacts of two COVID patients.

On a complaint lodged by the local sarpoanch, police have registered a case under Sections 188, 269, 270 of the IPC and Section 51 of DM Act against six persons for violating social distancing norms in quarantine centre and uploading the video on TikTok.

On Sunday, 120 migrant workers had fled quarantine centres at Beguniapada panchayat alleging non-supply of food and water. They had arrived at Khallikote in two buses from Surat on Saturday and were put in quarantine centres at Janata High School and Adarsha Vidyalaya in Beguniapada.

A video of migrants workers creating ruckus at similar facilities set up for them at Bhatakumarada and Bhabandha in Purusottampur block over sub-standard food had also gone viral. They
threw the food and abused members of self-help groups (SHGs).

“If this attitude persists, the quarantined persons would be shifted to isolation centres in other districts where they will have to stay for 60 days. Besides, they will be deprived of the incentive of
Rs 2,000 after completion of their,” Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange had said.

Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy on Sunday had warned violators of stern action, including arrest, extension of quarantine period and withdrawal of incentives.