CM takes part in Holi revelry at Fancy Bazar; COVID-19 protocols gone for a toss

GUWAHATI: Away from the election rallies and road shows, COVID-19 protocol had gone for a toss yet again today. And, this time with Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal was part of a crowd that violated all the pandemic rules.

At a time when the government has issued fresh standard operation procedures in view of the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases, Sonowal took part in a Holi revelry at Fancy Bazar here with thousands thronging the narrow streets of the commercial hub.

While social distance had hardly had any scope in the limited space, not a single reveler was seen in face mask or observing any other COVID-19 SOP.

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Accompanied by several close aides and state law minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya, the chief minister, who would otherwise not even touch a single piece of paper without being sanitised as a protocol, walked through the crowd with people splashing colours on him.

Later, he addressed the gathering wishing them on the occasion of the festival of colours. He wished health, peace, prosperity and communal harmony in Assam.

The revelers, however, sounded more interested in the company of Sonowal's cabinet colleague Himanta Biswa Sarma. Fondly called Mama because of Sarma’s role during the COVID-19 outbreak, the crowd was heard chanting “Mama Kot, Mama? (Where’s Mama?)” and “Amak Mama Lage (We want mama)” etc.