Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday telephoned his Nagaland counterpart Neiphiu Rio with a request to reopen the inter-state border along Sivasagar and Charaideo districts sealed by the neighbouring state after detection of Covid-19 cases in Charaideo.

Sources said though Nagaland had relaxed movement through the border after restrictions were eased during the third phase of lockdown, the detection of two cases in Charaideo a few days ago saw it completely seal the border at Namtola through which one could enter the neighbouring state from Assam’s Charaideo and Sivasagar districts, which border Mon district.

Sonowal, according to his office, conveyed to Rio that sealing of the inter-state border by the Nagaland government had adversely impacted the livelihood of workers engaged in the tea gardens in the border areas. Besides, the labour force working in the stone quarries and movement of construction materials have also been adversely impacted.

Urging Rio to launch a joint effort to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic, which has affected 319 people in Assam so far, Sonowal said there was also a need to continue economic activities unhindered along with the fight against Covid-19. People from Nagaland come down to bordering Assam districts for business and other purposes.

Responding to Sonowal’s call, Rio assured to look into the request and take necessary steps to reopen the border. Recently, Nagaland had lifted restrictions for commuters at its Dimapur gate bordering Karbi Anglong district. Nagaland has no Covid-19 case at this point of time.