Coronavirus: No screenings in train station, international borders

Our Reporter
Dimapur, March 5 (EMN): Following a directive from the Home department, Nagaland, in the wake of coronavirus scare, the deputy commissioners (DC) of districts that share international borders have reportedly sealed all borders.

A reliable source informed Eastern Mirror on Thursday that the department has organised awareness campaigns and sensitisation programmes in the districts, ‘but as per directives of the department, screening has been set up only at the airport in Dimapur’.

“Borders are very porous and there are no screening mechanisms done by the department, especially at the international trade centre at Pangsha and other bordering places,” informed the source.

According to reports, the union minister of Information and Broadcasting had told reporters on March 4 that more than 10 lakh people entering India from open borders with Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar have been screened.

The source also informed that the department is yet to direct screenings at the train station.

The DC of Mon, Thavaseelan K, also informed that the borders have been sealed and the Assam Rifles directed to keep vigil.

“We had a meeting with all village councils at the border and have asked them to stop all cross-border movements,” said the DC.

Further, he informed that all villages have been sensitised about the virus, especially at Longwa and Chenmoho ‘where most of the crossing happen’.

“We have directed the village councils not to allow any cross-farming as well,” shared Thavaseelan.

Concerning Pangsha international trade centre, the DC maintained that it has been defunct for a while and ‘as it stands, no trading is occurring’.