Covid-19: Jharkhand CM orders probe into social boycott of family

Ranchi/Ramgarh, Apr 23 () Jharkhand Chief MinisterHemant Soren on Thursday ordered a probe into reports thatpeople of a village in Ramgarh district has ostracized afamily claiming that a member of it, who came fromChhattisgarh, is a Covid-19 patient.

It is reported that villagers of Murudih under Golablock allegedly prevented a woman member of the family fromusing a tube well after the arrival of that person, RamgarhDeputy Commissioner Sandeep Singh said.

"A probe has been ordered into the allegations ofsocial boycott of a family by villagers who alleged that thebrother-in-law of the woman is a coronavirus positive case andhe arrived from another state," the DC said.

However, the man was asked to stay on home quarantineas per standard protocol.

Instructing the DC to help the family, Soren renewedhis appeal to people of the state not to pay heed to rumours.

"Do not pay attention to rumours. (Both) the pandemicand rumours can be fought with cooperation from society.Maintain distance with each other, but stay connected inheart," Soren said in a tweet.

Gola Block Development Officer Kuldeep Kumar and localpolice station in-charge Dhananjay Prasad visited the villageand preliminary investigation has found no coronaviruspositive patient there, the DC said.

The entire Ramgarh district has not reported anyCovid-19 case so far, Ramgarh Superintendent of Police PrabhatKumar said.

The DC said legal action would be taken against theculprits after the enquiry report is submitted.

The woman concerned is engaged in Mukhya Mantri DidiKitchen scheme by which cooked food is provided to the needyand stranded people, said the SP.

The SP also dismissed as fake a video purportedlyshowing a couple of children crying for food.

The video has gone viral going on social media. COR PVRNN NN