Norms go for a toss at Ropar MC event

Arun Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ropar, April 26

Covid-19 norms went for a toss during the installation ceremony of newly-elected MC president Sanjay Verma, who took oath in the presence of Punjab Youth Congress president Brinder Singh Dhillon here on Monday.

While the state government had prohibited assembly of more than 20 persons during such events, more than 100 persons attended the ceremony, many of whom were without a facemask.

Interestingly, the police had arrested a bridegroom last evening for organising a party attended by 30 persons in his fields near Anandpur Sahib.

Dhillon, washing his hands of any responsibility in this regard, said he didn’t organise the function and was there only as a guest. Verma, too, said the invite was not sent to so many people. They just thronged the venue due to his “popularity”, he added.

SSP Akhil Chaudhary said organising such functions with a gathering of more than 20 persons was an offence and he would take appropriate action after going through the matter.

Meanwhile, 147 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the district on Monday, of which 81 belonged only to Ropar block. Beside, two persons succumbed to the virus during the past 24 hours, taking toll in the district to 256 since the epidemic broke out last year. The number of total active cases in the district stood at 1,088 on Monday.