Tablighi Jamaat members aided COVID-19 spread in Indore, Bhopal initially: MP CM

Mhya Presh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Tablighi Jamaat members aided in spre of coronavirus infection in state particularly in Indore and Bhopal, and chided m for t acting "responsibly". In midst of rebooting state ecomy and settling down migrant labourers, Chouhan told PTI in an interview, "Initially members of Tablighi Jamaat contributed in spreing this virus. people, who came back from this event to prime cities like Indore and Bhopal, transmitted this virus to ors also."

Furr, y ded to it by t cooperating with government personnel. y stayed hidden led this spre into persons who directly or indirectly came in ir contact, he said, ding "y did t act responsibly". A large congregation organised in March by Tablighi Jamaat in Nizamuddin area of national capital significantly contributed to increase of coronavirus cases in India. Some of participants, who were later tested positive for coronavirus, h travelled to ir home states and or areas.

Mhya Presh has so far reported 6,170 coronavirus cases, including 2,850 in its commercial city Indore, 1,153 in state capital Bhopal and 504 in religious town of Ujjain, according to official data updated as on Friday. Cases in se cities have been increasing steily.

Of total of 272 COVID-19 deaths, 109 people have died in Indore, 40 in Bhopal and 51 in Ujjain, data said. To a question on increase in COVID-19 cases in Bhopal and Indore, Chouhan said se places are "under special care" of state ministration.

"We are continuously monitoring situations of se regions. Situation seems to be improving and stable w. More than 1,500 patients of Indore, Bhopal and Ujjain have recovered and are well w," chief minister said.

He said, state ministration is continuously trying its best to ensure availability of necessary medical facilities in se regions.

"All hospitals and medical centres of se regions have been equipped fully to counter emergency situations," Chouhan said.

In a stern mess, chief minister also said that persons indulging in attacking COVID-19 frontline workers "will t be spared at all".

"se are shameful acts of violating laws and t co-operating with government which is working for ir safety. Central government has also amended penal provisions for such acts. Such accused persons have been arrested under provisions of National Security Act," he said.

On Congress' charge that state government was t doing eugh to fight pandemic, Chouhan said it is time for all of us to put a check on spre of disease unitedly.

"It is a time, we all need to fight this pandemic toger and Congress is busy in accusing us. It shows ir concerns and priorities. y are accusing us to hide ir failure. y could have taken preventive measures regarding this at much early sts that we did as soon as we took charge of state," he said hitting out at previous Kamal Nath–led Congress government in state.

Chouhan said when he took over as chief minister, medical facilities were less in number in state.

"Today, we are in a far better condition than before. If previous government was aware of se facts why didn't y take measures to overcome se things? y could have done a lot earlier, but y were involved in ir internal party conflicts,” he said.

chief minister appealed everyone to follow lockdown sincerely for ir own safety.

"Keep maintaining social distancing rms even after lockdown. Stay at home, stay safe. I request everyone to have patience; we will soon overcome this pandemic," Chouhan ded.