Residents of Hindpiri locality here on Thursday objected to the entry of health workers, because of rumours that screening to identify people with novel coronavirus symptoms was a cover to conduct a survey for the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The Malaysian woman who tested positive for the virus had stayed in the locality, hence the authorities have put the locality and all areas within a 3km radius under quarantine. On Thursday morning, around 100 health workers and officials of Ranchi district administration and police went to Hindpiri for door-to-door check-ups and screening.
A large number of residents came out of their homes, refused medical check-up and objected to officials asking for details of their family members and travel history.
Till 2.30pm, officials could not start the health check-up drive and were forced to return from the locality.
Pleas of Anjuman Islamia, a progressive social outfit, asking residents to cooperative with health workers fell on deaf ears.
Later in the afternoon, Ranchi deputy commissioner (DC) Rai Mahimapat Ray, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Anish Gupta, traffic SP Ajit Peter Dungdung and senior officials of the district met residents of the locality and told them the health check-ups had nothing to do with the NRC.
The DC told The Telegraph over phone on Thursday evening that they would resume the health drive in Hindpiri “soon”.
“They had some misconceptions that under the guise of a health check-up and screening, the government is carrying out a survey for NRC,” DC Ray said. “That is far from reality. We convinced them this has nothing to do with the NRC. Their health check-up is necessary since Jharkhand’s first case was detected from Hindpiri. We have to move fast for everyone’s health.”
Asked about it, chief minister Hemant Soren told media personnel: “Everybody should cooperate. People should extend their support. Only through social distancing and awareness can we defeat this pandemic.”
State health minister Banna Gupta also advised residents to respect health staff and government officials for doing their duty.
“Every day, health staff and government officials are risking their life to save us and we must respect them and not obstruct them. People don’t know that their actions can cost Jharkhand dearly,” Gupta said. “In this hour of crisis, people should support each other and the government.”