Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 2
Infuriated over neglect of Merapani/Maratchu under Bhandari sub-division in Wokha district by the authorities in connection with preventive measures against COVID-19, the public there on Thursday disallowed vehicles carrying essential commodities to move towards Bhandari town. The vehicles were made to go back to Assam.
The Merapani/Maratchu Village Council also Thursday decided to impose total ban on movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities until further notice.
By evening, ADC Bhandari also issued an order imposing total and immediate ban on movement of vehicle those carrying essential commodities under Bhandari sub-division until further notice. Movement of public has been completely restricted.
The public move came against the backdrop of Covid-19 positive cases being detected in the border villages in Assam. It was learnt that the public in Merapani/Maratchu were enraged as there was no thermal screening or proper security check in the Disturbed Area Belt inhabited by Nagas.
EAC, Selemla S. Sangtam, Nodal Officer for Covid-19 Control Room, Bhandari confirmed that thermal screening was done only in Bhandari. She also informed that Dobashi along with CRPF Sector C were keeping vigil in the border with Assam. She also confirmed that not a single vehicle carrying essential commodities were stranded in Merapani/Maratchu.
Meanwhile, Merapani Village Council today resolved not to allow plying of vehicles carrying essential commodities within its jurisdiction until further notice.
JungithungYanthan, member of the Covid-19 Control Room, Bhandari expressed apprehension that drug users who visit neighbouring areas in Assam to procure their needs on daily basis could be contracted with the disease and spread it in the sub-division too. He said that the drug users were now taking alternate routes and jungles for entry and exit.
He also informed that the Bethesda Drop in Centre at Merapani/Maratchu today held a meeting with drug users and educated them on COVID-19.
Assam-Wokha border sealed
The Deputy Commissioner of Wokha has sealed the district's border with Assam except for movement of security forces and emergency medical services. In an order, the Wokha DC, Orenthung Lotha directed that supply of all essential commodities would be routed through Dimapur district.
In view of the COVID-19 positive cases in Assam, especially at Bheluguri village bordering Merapani, the DC has requested for more security deployment in the border. In a letter to the Principal Secretary and Commissioner, the Wokha DC pointed out that the entire stretch of Assam-Nagaland border of Wokha district is very porous and with only police check post at Bhandari town. He therefore requested that additional police check post be set up at Ralan and Changpang sector at the earliest.
