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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 9 (EMN): On the first day of the crackdown on residents failing to comply with standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the authorities, as many as 1,900 persons were caught without wearing mask by volunteers of All Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayat (AKMWP) in urban Kohima on Monday.
Concerned over the citizen’s negligence towards SOPs, despite the daily increase in Covid-19 cases in the state, the AKMWP had earlier notified that citizens within and those entering the Kohima municipality without wearing protective masks would be penalised.
On early Monday morning, volunteers of AKMWP from the 19 Kohima municipal wards assembled at Old MLA hotel where they were issued ‘authorised volunteer badges’ by the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) before dispersing to their respective colonies to enforce the directive.
Neibulie Kiewhuo, the president of AKMWP, briefed the volunteers on the matters and purpose of the restriction against defaulters while Kovi Meyase, the administrator of KMC, sensitised the gathering on the importance of wearing masks during the pandemic.
Speaking to Eastern Mirror, Kiewhuo said that the volunteers, while imposing restriction in the city, encountered around 1900 persons moving in and around the city without the protective cloth on the first day.
It was learned that the names of the defaulters were listed; they were then asked to buy the mask from the volunteers on the spot and also advised to wear the protective cloth every time they come out of their residences.
Kiewhuo shared that the volunteers were advised to be friendly while dealing with the defaulters.
The president said many senior citizens were appreciative of the initiative.
Maintaining that the crackdown would continue, he expressed hope that the citizens will abide by the rule and compulsorily wear masks.
"The enforcement will continue until every citizen of our city become fully aware about the importance of wearing face mask," Kiewhuo said.
The first defaulter in New Market colony (ward 8) was caught as early as 7.25 am. The volunteers of ward no. 8 recorded a total of 49 defaulters in the locality on the first day.