Guwahati: 4 police participants of Independence Day parade test positive for coronavirus

Guwahati: In an alarming development, as many as 4 Assam Police personnel who were to take part in the Independence Day parade in Guwahati's Judges Field have tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus.

This comes a day after as many as 9 police personnel had tested positive for the dreaded virus that reportedly originated in the animal markets of Wuhan, China.

This year, the Independence Day parade shall be a low-key affair and has been shifted to the Judges' Field in the city as the traditional venue, the Veterinary Field at Khanapara has been converted into a COVID Care Centre. The yearly function will be held in accordance with the Centre's directives meant to minimize the chances of COVID-19 transmissions during the celebrations.

Kamrup (Metro) Deputy Commissioner Biswajiit Pegu, inspecting the ground ahead of the function, told media persons that this year, the number of guests shall be kept to a minimum owing to the pandemic situation. All the COVID-19 protocols will be strictly followed during the (relatively) low-key celebration, said Pegu.

Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna and Guwahati Police Commissioner Munna Prasad Gupta also reviewed the preparedness of the State level celebration of Independence Day at Judges Field, the new venue.

The Chief Secretary along with Commissioner of Police Munna Prasad Gupta, GAD Commissioner &Secretary Dr M Angamuthu inspected the Judges Field and took stock of the preparedness and instructed to do the needful for timely completion of works, safe and hassle-free arrangements of the State level programme.

"All the security arrangements ahev been made. Around the clock, we have a duty here and checkings have been made. Across Guwahati, all steps such as scouting, checks, area domination, etc, have been made to ensure that there are no untoward incidents", Munna Prasad Gupta told media.

Also Watch: Newsmakers: Sizal Agarwal, 112 Rank Holder, UPSC 2019 with Oineetom Ojah