Assam: Chief Secretary Urges People to Stay Indoors amid Murmurs of Lockdown Extension

Dibrugarh, April 13, 2020:

A high-level review meeting regarding the prevailing situation in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak was held at Dibrugarh, Assam, today. In the meeting, top officials of the Assam administration discussed measures that will be taken in the eventuality of an extension of the 21-day lockdown amid rising cases of the COVID-19 across the nation.

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The Chief Secretary of Assam, Kumar Sanjay Krishna, speaking on the sidelines of the meet, said that there was a discussion about the steps taken and the difficulties faced in health sector and essential commodities in the districts amid the lockdown. "We have instructed all the district authorities to take steps to address the issues so that people do not face any problems", Krishna said.

Krishna further laid emphasis on the social distancing norms that have been put in place by the administration. "Government of India has already exempted many services but we must see that the social distancing norms is strictly followed.

The Chief Secretary also appealed the people not to come out until unless very urgent till the situation improves. "There is no plan of any type of colour coding in the state as of now", he said.

The DGP, Assam, Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta speaking after the high level review meeting said that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the preparedness in the eventuality of exemption of certain services after the lock down is extended beyond tomorrow.

He said that it is likely that some more services are exempted and people having emergency may be allowed outside their houses considering various aspects. "But we have to see that no one violates the lock down taking illegal benefit of the exemption. All such matters have been discussed today and necessary steps are being taken to enforce the lock down strictly", he said.

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The meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner's conference hall in Dibrugarh was attended by the Chief Secretary, Kumar Sanjay Krishna, DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, Additional Chief Secretaries, DCs/SPs of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Dhemaji and Charaidro districts and officials of Sadiya.

Meanwhile, an announcement on lockdown extension is awaited, although all Chief Ministers are said to be in favour of it.

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