Attempted murder charges against violators: Himanta Biswa Sarma

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Faced with increasing cases of quarantine rules violations, the Assam Government has decided to frame 'attempt to murder' charges against all those who violate such rules intentionally.

Health & Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the government would frame charges under the Section 307 of the IPC against the persons who jump the quarantine rules intentionally. The Section 307 stipulates attempt to murder which is a non-bailable and cognizable offence. He said the minimum jail term under the Section is 10 years.

"We are leaving no stone unturned to create adequate suitable quarantine facilities for those who have returned to the State from outside. They will have to undergo quarantine so that they do not become carriers of COVID-19 for their parents, other family members and society. Those violating the quarantine rules will become a threat to lives of many in the society including their family members. We cannot let this happen and have to be ruthless against intentional violators," Sarma said.

Sarma added that even though the State has been witnessing a sharp rise in the number of COVID-positive cases, the only silver lining is the fact that 90 per cent of the positive cases are now confined to quarantine facilities. Under such circumstances, the chances of spreading the virus at the community or society level are still very remote, he said.

Sources in the Health department, however, said going by increasing number of cases of intentional violation of quarantine rules at various places in the State including few cases in Kamrup Metropolitan district the possibility of community spreading of the virus cannot be ruled out.

"Many people are violating the quarantine rules at various levels. While some are escaping from trains, some who have returned to the State from outside are leaving quarantine facilities. Those in home quarantine are roaming open in villages and towns. Even though the police have traced some violators and brought back to quarantine, a few of them are still at large causing fear and apprehension that they will spread the virus fast," the source pointed out. 

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