No political pressure on administration to let medical store remain open; Sumit Sattavan rubbishes rumours

Taking strict actions for violating COVID19 protocols, Cachar District Administration had decided to shut 28 stores in various parts of the district. For the last couple of days, a news piece from a daily broadsheet has gone viral. The newspaper published a source-based report claiming BJP leaders are putting pressure on the district administration to revoke the closure notice. The report also claimed that high-level BJP leaders have made several calls to the deputy commissioner of Cachar Keerthi Jalli and few even went on to meet her.

Today, additional deputy commissioner of Cachar and CEO of District Disaster Management Authority, Sumit Sattavan said all these rumours are untrue and baseless. “No political leaders created any pressure on us to revoke any orders issued by the authority,” said Sattavan.

The news report claimed that the pressure was mounted to revoke the closure order of Drugs Corner, a very renowned chemist in Silchar town. Sattavan cleared the air and said nothing like that ever happened. The stores can open from Monday onwards as the order is valid until the third phase of lockdown ends. “See medicines are essential and whoever works at a chemist store is actually providing an essential service. We do not have anything against anyone, it is just that we want to ensure the protocols are strictly followed which is why we took the strict steps,” said Sattavan.

He added, “We need to also understand that it is not only the owner who benefits from the shop. The employees who work at the chemist probably earn a livelihood for their family from this job. So it is important for them to have the work.”

Sattavan explained that using masks and sanitizers is compulsory as there are many asymptomatic patients too. “Any lapses in sanitization can lead to an outbreak which can cause damage to health and which is why the administration will take strict measures going forward too,” added Sattavan.