Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 157/21

NIGHT CURFEW EXTENDED IN EAST KHASI HILLS

In view of the prevailing situation concerning COVID-19 in the state and in order to put in place preventive and mitigation measures so the pandemic of COVID-19 is contained, reduced and eliminated in East Khasi Hills District and Meghalaya, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 2nd May, 2021 under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 has extended the Night Curfew in East Khasi Hills District with effect from 3rd May, 2021 upto 9th May 2021 only for timings falling between 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM each day.

The night curfew order will not apply to medical teams and officials on COVID-19 duty, police, security and armed forces, Civil Defence and Home Guard volunteers, wholesale and retail pharmacies, Fire and Emergency Service, MeECL, NEEPCO and Power Grid, FCI vehicles, officers and staff of Corona Care Centres, press, print and electronic, Information and Public Relations Department, National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, Shillong Municipal Board and Telecom service.

However, Petrol pumps are permitted to open till 11:00 P.M. and home delivery of cooked food items is also allowed till 11:00 P.M.

These services shall strictly comply with all protocols and procedures including social distancing, limiting of field staff to the barest minimum and other advisories of Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail. Movement of vehicles carrying essential goods, security forces, medical equipments and shops for repair of trucks on highways are also exempted. However, drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols

Curfew passes may be obtained online @ eastkhasihills.gov.in.

Press Release No. 158/21

LEGAL AID HELPLINE NUMBER

To enable the general public to avail legal aid during this second wave of COVID-19, the Member Secretary, Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) has informed that the public can reach out to it office by calling toll free number 1800-345-3662, 9089392382, 9615573442 and 9774180179 and email at mslsashillong@gmail.com.

It may be mentioned that the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 was enacted by the Parliament to give effect to Article 39 A of the Constitution of India which guarantees free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society to ensure that they are not denied access to justice by reason of economic or other disability. As provided under Section 6 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the Government of Meghalaya has set up the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) in July 1998. The office of the MSLSA is presently housed in the building of the Additional Secretariat, Shillong below the MATI building. In order to ensure that the objectives of the Act are translated into reality, and that the constitutional guarantees are fulfilled to the people of the State, the MSLSA have devised a comprehensive legal services programme in the form of legal aid through helplines to assist the public in need of legal aid during this second wave of COVID-19. It is expected that the legal aid reaches the targeted sections of society leading us towards the goal of "Access to Justice for All".