Shillong, April 06: The MLA from 17-Shillong North Mr Adelbert Nongrum has written letter to the Chief Minister Mr Conrad K Sangma requesting him that the Government should allowed the use of Public Address System in Locality during this lockdown period to fight against the Corona Virus.
The letter written by the MLA he has requested the Chief Minister that the advices that was issue wide Memo No. C&S.7/2020/67 dated 4th April 2020 advises against broadcasting or use of any PA and other audio systems in the localities and villages in East Khasi Hills District by any faith based or any other organization. This was perhaps being taken in pursuance to Rule No. 8 of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rule of 2000.
In the request letter Mr Nongrum stated that, as you may be aware that the nation is under lockdown since 24th March 2020 due to the outbreak of the pandemic known as Novel Corona Virus or COVID – 19.
As such, all activities pertaining towards the service of the nation and towards the community have been ceased till 14th April 2020 as we are to maintain utmost social distancing. As this covers a long and lean period of 21 days the only solace that an individual may find is in his faith that he or she profess.
The MLA from 17-Shillong North is in his opined that the advisory order issued may not be found feasible to be strictly implemented. However, India being a secular nation, the faith of the people at these trying hours could not be curtailed as all religious establishments and congregation came to a standstill.
It is only through the Public Announcement Systems that comfort could be reached out to the people. On the other hand and in order to avoid any inconveniences such as disturbances and discomfort there should be a limitation in the broadcast of faith based. The limitation sought is to cater towards all other faith to share and spread the word of the Almighty as half an hour in a day shall be reserved for this purpose and for a particular faith.
Irrespective of all religions in the State which is Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, traditional religion, Naim khasi Niam tre etc. they should all be given some space as we are aware that this is not just a War of Enemy but a War of Faith.
Mr Adelbert Nongrum MLA, substantiate his humble request in recalling to a similar situation that has occurred a century back that is the outbreak of the Spanish Influenza where 50 million of the world population died and 500 million others were infected and it lasted for three years. Thus, the faith of a person at these trying and hard times comes to the fore as a comforting medication.
