'Do not stigmatize others due to COVID': Durbar Shnong Malki

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: The Durbar Shnong Malki is one of the first traditional institutions in the city to raise the issue of stigmatization by some residents, basically labourers who had gone for work in other localities. A few areas were declared as containment zones a month back before these areas were opened up. However, the daily labourers who venture out to resume their daily chores in other areas were not entertained by many.

Taking cognizance of the issues, Headman of Malki, HP Oflyn Dohling on Wednesday stated that it came to the notice of the Executive Dorbar of Malki that in the recent past some labourers of this locality who are engaged in construction works in other localities within Shillong city have been facing stigmatization as victims of COVID 19 as they were not allowed entry into those localities, depriving them of the right to employment.

"On behalf of the Executive Dorbar of Malki, we fervently appeal to those localities to be fair on this issue so as not to stigmatize each and every one as victim of COVID-19. The Executive Dorbar of Malki as always is trying its best to ensure that protocols related to the pandemic are strictly adhered to. None of the labourers from the containment areas in Malki are allowed to come out and violate the prescribed protocols."

He further stated that the Executive Dorbar of the locality proudly proclaims that not a single case of stigmatization of any one from outside the locality has taken place in Malki.

Labourers from other villages/localities have been never treated as untouchables or stigmatized. If there had been any such case, please do not hesitate to bring the matter to the notice of this Dorbar, he appealed to the masses.

There are unreported cases of subtle stigmatisation especially in the unorganized sector, by indirectly refusing jobs them. This correspondent met some of them. They complained that they are now unemployed as a result of such moves by some people. They hailed from the then containment zones of city.

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