The DeSuung office reprimanded three De-Suups today for punishing two men in Olakha, Thimphu for violating lockdown protocols, after a video of the incident went viral on social media.
In the video, the three De-Supps are seen punishing the violators by making them do push-up plank on the streets.
Many viewers questioned the legitimacy of their action and whether De-Suups were allowed to mete out such punishments.
As per the statement submitted by De-Suups to the DeSuung office they had punished the two men for breaching the lockdown protocols and who were repeated offenders. At the time of the incident, the two men had told the De-Suups that they were on their way to get a mobile phone charger.
The DeSuung office told BBS that the three De-Suups involved were issued a warning that they will be deregistered from the De-Suung family if they repeat such actions.
This morning, the De-Suung office also posted a message on its Facebook page reminding De-Suups to be polite in all their interactions and inform relevant stakeholders, police in particular, in case of breach of lockdown protocols.
During the lockdown, in accordance with the lockdown protocols, people loitering without an authorization permit will be penalized and booked under section 448 of the Penal Code of Bhutan for the offence of breach of public order and tranquillity.
The offender is liable for a maximum term of imprisonment of less than one year and a minimum term of one month.
Meanwhile, thousands of De-Suups are working on the frontline to provide critical services to the people, including the implementation of the current nationwide lockdown.
Samten Dolkar
