In a deeply worrying development, a woman believer who stayed at a prayer centre located in 2 Kilo area in between Itanagar and Naharlagun tested positive for Covid-19. Besides her, 33 other believers were reportedly present at the centre during her three-day stay. The matter came to light when members of the AAPSU along with a team from the Naharlagun police station on Sunday visited the premises of the prayer centre after receiving a written complaint from the colony’s residents. Primary and secondary contact tracing is being done. At this juncture one can only hope for the best.
This incident is a reminder that the state government should not allow opening of religious institutions/places of worship till the Covid-19 situation improves in the state. A large section of the Arunachalee population is deeply religious and for them visiting places of worship is a pertinent part of their religious beliefs. Also, it would be a big mistake to expect them to follow the guidelines issued by the health department while visiting the places of worship. Most of them are uneducated and are ultra-religious. Therefore the state government will be committing a big mistake if it allows opening of religious institutions thinking they will follow the SOP and nothing will happen. In the greater interest of the state, all the religious institutions and places of worship should not be allowed to open in the state. The government should act fast before it is too late.