Meghalaya witnessed a total shutdown on Sunday responding to the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to observe the Janata Curfew in view of the global spread of Covid-19.
While roads wore a deserted look, all establishments were closed down.
It was for the second consecutive day that Meghalaya remained shut following the 24-hour shutdown called by the state government. Most of the churches also decided to close down to prevent large gatherings of people.
The state government had decided to restrict the entry of people into the state. Barring 11 specified locations, people cannot enter into Meghalaya.
The 11 locations include Ratacherra in East Jaiñtia Hills, Saitsama, Umransu and Dawki in West Jaiñtia Hills, Byrnihat in Ri Bhoi, Dainadubi and Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills, Phulbari, Tikrikilla and Dalu in West Garo Hills, and Garodoba in South West Garo Hills.
Those entering the state are also required to register on the Covid-19 monitoring system (meghalayaonline.gov.in/covid) in addition to undergoing health screening as required by the authorities.
In East Jaiñtia Hills district, to prevent and control the outbreak of Covid-19, the administration has promulgated night curfew from 7pm on Sunday till 7am on Monday for the incoming vehicles from Assam en route to the district from Malidor.
Tripura measures
The Tripura government on Sunday suspended movement of passengers through the Agartala immigration land checkpost till March 31 as a precautionary measure against coronavirus. However, cargo vehicles will be allowed to operate as usual.
A notification from the home department, undersigned by principle secretary Barun Kumar Sahu, says in view of the dangerous outbreak of highly infectious coronavirus in different parts of the world, including Bangladesh and other states of the country, it is of utmost important to prevent spread of the disease in Tripura.
Chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Sunday told the media that his government would suspend all the inter-state bus services which connect Tripura with Assam and Mizoram so that no infected person can enter or leave the state.
“From Monday we will impose some restrictions on operation of public transport across the state and I am appealing to everyone not to step out of home for some more days. I request those living near the border areas not to allow anyone from Bangladesh enter the Indian territory. We have a close relationship with Bangladesh, but first it is our own life. Many people may come to the primary healthcare centres near the border for treatment, but I request you not to allow them. If anyone comes across such a case, do inform the BSF to push them back to Bangladesh,” Deb said.
Deb added his government was planning to provide extra ration for the BPL families for the time being.
The Opposition CPM on Sunday demanded Rs 5,000 and free ration for the families of daily labourers for a month as they are facing severe job crunch due to the shutdown.
Addressing a news conference in the afternoon, CPM state secretary Gautam Das said: “On Saturday evening, chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb had held a news conference regarding awareness about coronavirus but due to the deadly virus, the working class, including daily labourers, are facing severe job crisis. However, Deb’s government has not taken any initiative for the poor people of Tripura, including the daily labourers.”
Additional reporting by Tanmoy Chakraborty in Agartala
“Around 171 people in Tripura are kept under surveillance, but no positive case was reported which is a very good sign. But I want to urge the government to set up quarantine and isolation wards in each government hospital and arrange personal protection equipment as early as possible,” Das said, adding that the government should distribute masks free of cost.
Das said the CPM had published leaflets to create awareness against Covid-19 and these would be distributed in every sub-division of the state.
