The administration in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills has closed down all interstate roads with neighbouring Assam following the detection of Covid-19 cases.

West Garo Hills, especially the plains-belt region, shares a long border with Assam.

In an order issued on Thursday, West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Ram Singh noted that despite the nationwide lockdown, there was movement of vehicles from Assam and within the district. He said all inter-state border roads, village and public roads will be sealed with immediate effect.

The interstate movement of all types of vehicles and people will be restrained exc-ept for FCI trucks, oil tankers, LPG tankers, medical supplies and other vehicles for which specific authority letters/permissions will have to be issued for plying in designated routes. The administration has cancelled all car pas-ses and orders issued to bring essential items, mainly vegetables, from Assam and Assam-Meghalaya border.

However, carrying of essential commodities like rice, dal, salt, onion, potatoes and others will be allowed via Bajengdoba-Tura route in the North and Tikrikilla route in the West after strict checking by medical and police teams. Moreover, inter-district movement of all types of vehicles within the state and district will be restricted.

Singh ordered that all vegetable distribution and lifting will now be done by ITEAMS-1917 from the state agriculture department.

Further, the deputy commissioner has instructed all headmen/nokmas of villages on the Meghalaya-Assam border to inform all the residents of their respective villages not to cross the border for procuring essential items from Assam. For any assistance of essential commodities during the lockdown, the villages may contact the respective block development officers and gram sevaks/sevikas.

People have been directed not to come out without wearing masks or covering their mouth with handkerchief.

In another order issued on Thursday, chief secretary M.S. Rao said transportation of goods only will be allowed from Ratacherra in East Jaiñtia Hills, Byrnihat in Ri Bhoi, Dainadubi in North Garo Hills, Tikrikilla in West Garo Hills, and Garodoba in South West Garo Hills.

In a related development, the Khasi Students’ Union has instructed its activists in East Jaiñtia Hills to remain alert, and keep a watch on the border areas, and to provide volunteers to police if required.

Activists of the union’s Khliehriat circle also met the East Jaiñtia Hills district administration on Thursday demanding restriction of movement of ambulances from Assam’s Barak Valley.