Amit Shah To Interact With Chief Ministers Of North-Eastern States On Covid-19 Situation

The Home Minister is also expected to take stock of the law and order situation in the north-eastern states during the meeting.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah. (File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: Amid concerns of a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold a meeting with the Chief Ministers of north-eastern states on Saturday during which he is expected to discuss the Covid-19 situation in the region.

The Home Minister is also expected to take stock of the law and order situation in the north-eastern states during the meeting.

The Chief Secretaries and the Director General of Police (DGP) of the north-eastern states will also be present in the meeting, PTI reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier on July 13 chaired a high-level review meeting on Covid-19 with the Chief Ministers of the north-eastern states.

Prime Minister Modi during the interaction held virtually over video-conferencing expressed his concerns over the influx of unmasked tourists at hill stations and marketplaces, calling for greater emphasis on micro-containment zones.

“It is true that tourism, trade and business have been greatly affected due to Corona. But today I will emphasise that it is a matter of concern that people visiting hill stations and markets are not wearing masks and not following protocol. This is not right. Many times we hear this argument and some people say proudly that we want to enjoy it before the third wave arrives,” said Prime Minister Modi.

“It is important to explain to the people that the third wave will not come on its own. Sometimes people ask what preparations have been made for the third wave. What will you do for the third wave? In fact, the question that we should ask ourselves is how to prevent the third wave. How to execute our protocols efficiently? And corona is not something which comes on its own, it is brought by people.  Therefore, if we take equal care of these things, then we will be able to stop the third wave also,” he added.

Asserting “our citizens should not compromise on alertness, vigilance and adherence to Covid-appropriate protocols”, Prime Minister Modi said the experts have been repeatedly warning that there could be a massive jump in corona infections due to carelessness, negligence and overcrowding.

“Therefore, it is important that all necessary steps are taken at every level seriously. We should try to stop the overcrowded events,” he added.