The Samdrup Jongkhar COVID-19 Taskforce directed three DeSuups and two drivers to 21-day facility quarantine yesterday after they came in contact with the residents along the Indian highway. The officials were forced to come in contact with Indians after a Bhutanese truck ferrying essentials from Phuentshogling to Samdrup Jongkhar met with an accident on Indian highway on the 3rd February.
The DeSuups were escorting Bhutanese vehicles.
According to Jigme Wangchuk, who was one of the DeSuups escorting Bhutanese vehicles, they came out from their vehicle after the Indian vehicle owner started harassing the Bhutanese driver following the accident.
“When an accident happens, they never listen despite our requests. They try to harass Bhutanese driver, so we have to come out and intervene. However, we make sure to follow all the COVID-19 protocols; we wear a face mask, hand gloves, and sanitize our hand now and then,” he said.
The mob allowed the driver and escorts to go only after the escort DeSuups negotiated with the Indian vehicle owner to pay around Nu 30,000 for the damages.
On the same day, another Bhutanese trucker came in contact with an Indian after an accident with a biker on the Indian highway. The trucker reportedly paid Nu 700 to the biker.
They arrived in Samdrup Jongkhar yesterday at around 1:30 AM and they were directed to quarantine immediately.
According to the district task force, the DeSuups and drivers won’t be charged with the breach of standard operating procedures since it was unintentional.
KinleyWangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
