Jagatsinghpur: Amid the surge in the pandemic, when the Odisha government has entrusted the administrative officials with the responsibility to strictly enforce Covid-19 guidelines in the State, a woman Tehsildar allegedly flouted the norms openly by dancing in a wedding procession in Jagatsinghpur on Saturday.
A video purportedly showing Sukinda Tehsildar Bulbul Behera dancing in the marriage procession has gone viral on various social media platforms. Behera allegedly threw all the Covid-19 norms to the wind as she didn’t wear mask and follow social distancing guidelines in the procession.
Moreover, hundreds of people including many high-profile persons attended the procession which was a clear violation of the prevailing Covid-19 norms. Behera was also reportedly found encouraging others to dance during the procession in the video.
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While the administration is imposing fine on people for violating Covid-19 guidelines, the blatant violation of the norms has raised many eyebrows. The State government has allowed only 25 people in a marriage ceremony during the lockdown while putting a ban on feasts.
Now, questions have been raised as to why the local police turned a blind eye in this case of blatant violation of Covid-19 guidelines. Locals have demanded a high-level investigation into the incident and stern action against the violators.
On the other hand, Behera defended herself by saying that the dance was performed during the last part of the procession.
“The dance was performed for only 10 minutes during the last part of the procession. It was performed within the boundary of the house and there was no such violation of Covid-19 guidelines,” claimed Behera.
(Edited by Pradeep Singh)