Assam: Hailakandi District Seals Borders with Mizoram amid Lockdown

Superintendent of Police, Pabindra Kumar Nath said following the positive case of novel Coronavirus in Cachar district, security has been further tightened along the inter-district border with Cachar. Inter-district border with Karimganj has also been sealed in the wake of the first COVID-19 case in the State. "No movement of vehicles and people from within and outside Hailakandi district are allowed except those on emergency and essential services," said Nath.

The administration enforced the lockdown for the 13th day on Monday with one person arrested and two cases registered for lockdown violation in the past 24 hours. Four vehicles have also been seized and total fine realised is Rs.27,000. Meanwhile, the total number of people arrested in Assam amid the lockdown has exceeded 1,000, Assam Police has confirmed.

Following water crisis in some parts of the district, the administration is arranging drinking water through water tankers. Ring wells in parched areas such as Chakchandpur are being constructed by Public Health Engineering department to provide respite to the people hit by

water scarcity.

The administration is in a state of preparedness to tackle any exigency. New quarantine facilities are being set up with water supply connection. The DIET building has been converted into a quarantine centre, official reports said.

To contain the spread of the virus, the administration has stepped up disinfection of the markets and other places, including government offices and streets. Algapur market was sprayed with disinfectants by SDRF personnel. Hailakandi town's biggest market Herbertganj, besides Katlicherra and Panchgram markets, has already been disinfected.

The administration is providing gratuity relief items through the Circle Officers to the stranded persons, including migrant labourers in the wake of the lockdown.

Accommodation too has been arranged for those stranded amid the lockdown. Some NGOs and individuals too have pitched in by lending helping hands to the wage earners, workers and needy persons by providing food items to them.

Mid-day meals to parents of children in schools and Take Home Ration is being provided to children, pregnant women and lactating mothers at their doorsteps by Anganwadi workers, and ration is being provided to the card holders. Assistant Director, Food Civil Supplies and Corporate Affairs, Ganesh Choudhury said 5 kg rice per head has been already provided to the ration card holders in April and another 5 kg will be given during this month itself.