Shillong, Sep 14 (UNI) Meghalaya Power Minister, James Sangma, who had tested
positive for COVID-19 at Bir Tikendrajit International airport in Manipur on Saturday,
have tested positive for the virus on a second re-test, which was conducted on
Sunday through RT-PCR in the city.
"The Power Minister (James) has tested positive for COVID-19 on a second re-test
through RT-PCR. He is undergoing home quarantine," Health and Family Welfare
Minister Alexander Laloo Hek told UNI.
Sangma is the first minister and the second legislator of Meghalaya to have contracted
COVID-19 virus. Ruling National People's Party (NPP) legislator, S.G. Esmatur Mominin,
who is also chairman of the Forest Development Corporation of Meghalaya Limited,
tested positive for COVID-19 on September 8.
The Power minister, who is elder brother of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, had
accompanied the Chief Minister, who is also national president of the NPP to Imphal
for party-related activities, including opening of an NPP office.
The Sangma's had flown to Bir Tikendrajit International airport in Manipur on Saturday
from New Delhi.
However, after testing positive for COVID-19 following Rapid Antigen Test at the
Imphal international airport, the Power Minister took off for Shillong by road without
attending any programme in Manipur, even as his brother, chief minister Conrad
Sangma, who had tested negative, went ahead with attending the party functions.
On Sunday, the Power’s escort team, including four constables suffered injuries
when their pilot vehicle met with an accident and capsized at Nagaon, Assam in the
wee hours.
“Four police officials who were inside the pilot vehicle were immediately sent to
Civil Hospital, Nagaon for medical assistance whereas, the minister has been
escorted to his official residence in Shillong,” Meghalaya Police Spokesman, Gabriel
Iangrai said.
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