Permits inter-district movement of stranded person; Taxis & autos to ply
Kohima, May 4: In consonance with the Central government’s decision for the third-phase of the extended nationwide lockdown, Nagaland government has issued consolidated revised guidelines effective from Monday till May 15.
Having placed in green zone in the fight against COVID-19, Nagaland Chief Secretary Temjen Toy affirmed the virus has not entered the State but the fear is it being imported by persons and citizens of the returning from other states after being stranded for days.
In this, the CS said that as a matter of abundant caution, sealing of inter-state borders will continue in toto in the 14 border administrative sub-divisions and subordinate administrative circles spread over seven districts of the State.
They are: Dimapur district: Dimapur Sadar, Niuland, Dhansiripar & Siethiekema Circle; Peren: Jalukie sub-division, Bhandari Sub-Division in Wokha, Mangkolemba and Tuli Sub-Division in Mokochung district, Tamlu and Naginimora & Tizit sub-divisions in Mon district, Pfutsero and Meluri sub-division in Phek district and Jakhama sub-division in Kohima district.
In all these Sub-Divisions, only movement of goods vehicles entering or transiting through the State shall be allowed after proper medical screening of the drivers and attendants of those vehicles through designated Entry and Exit Points. This exception will, however, not be applicable to Bhandari Sub-Division, he said.
The designated points of entry into and exit from the State for goods vehicles are:
Mon district: Naginimora and Tizit, Mokokchung: Tsutapela and Watiyongpang,
Dimapur: Dilai Gate and New Field Gate and Kohima: Khuzama Gate.
All other roads will remain closed, he said, adding that the International Border of the State with Myanmar shall continue to remain sealed.
On the issue of bringing back stranded citizens of Nagaland in other parts of the country, Toy said nothing has been finalized while the financial support extended to such persons is only a one time grant.
He, however, said that migrant workers stranded in Nagaland willing to go to their respective states will be allowed. He said if the respective states are willing to receive their people, the government will work out measures, including the railways to send them.
The health and family welfare department is already issuing health certificates to hundreds of migrant workers wanting to leave the State, he said.
The consolidated revised guidelines for the lockdown has allowed inter district movement of stranded persons in distress, but in a regulated manner for a specific period for which separate guidelines will be issue soon, he said.
In this, Toy said, movement of people in private vehicles to go to own villages for visits will be restricted.
The guidelines however said that inter district movement of commercial passenger vehicles shall remain barred except vehicles carrying essential goods.
Under the guidelines, taxis and auto rickshaws have been permitted to ply with the condition that they carry not more than two and one passengers respectively, while both the driver and passengers should wear mask.
He however said that plying of taxis and autos will be restricted in the earlier mentioned 14 subdivisions and circles.
In this, he also informed that plying of zonal taxis will be strictly restricted throughout the State.
The chief secretary said that respective Deputy Commissioner on assessment of the actual ground position may issue necessary orders regulating the provisions of the guidelines.
No quarantine of persons moving within the State
Reiterating that the whole state of Nagaland till date falls under green zone as per the criteria laid down by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the CS said there will not be quarantining of persons entering a district or town or village from within anywhere in Nagaland.
On the reports of villages restricting entry of their people coming from other districts, Toy affirmed that action would be initiated against any such defaulters.
Functioning of government offices
Toy also stated that the Civil Secretariat and Directorates in Kohima and Dimapur and all the Government offices in the Districts will start functioning. Attendance of officers of Deputy Secretary and above in the Secretariat and Deputy Director and above in the Directorate and the HODs and immediate junior in the District offices being mandatory, he said, adding that the other categories of officers and staff, a roster system shall be worked out whereby 50% staff attends office every alternate week.
No restriction on return of Dimapur patient
On the issue of the Dimapur patient, who tested positive for COVID-19 in Guwahati, Assam on April 12 last and now has been cured, being restricted to return home, Principal Secretary for Health and Family Welfare, Menukhol John said there is no such restrictions and that he is free to return.
Rs 1.18 lakh fine imposed during lockdown
Principal Secretary (Home), Abhijit Sinha giving details of the overall law and order during the last 40 days of COVID-19 lockdown, said an amount of Rs 1,18,700 has been collected as penalties from 995 violators of the laid down norms. (Page News Service)
