Mandatory mask in Kohima municipality from Nov. 9

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 6 (EMN): Concerned over the increasing rate of Covid-19 positive cases in the state, the Association of Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayat (AKMWP) has decided to penalise citizens moving in and around Kohima municipality area without wearing face masks.

In a circular issued on Friday, AKMWP president Neibulie Kiewhuo stated that while the “government of Nagaland is doing its best”, one cannot depend solely on the government to protect the citizens, and “time has come for all to protect ourselves and our citizens”.

The association informed that it has decided to direct everyone within Kohima municipality area to compulsorily wear face masks from November 9.

“…defaulters found moving around without face mask shall have their names listed and be compelled to buy face mask on the spot from the ward Covid committee at INR 30 per mask,” it stated.

According to the association, members of ward Covid committee on duty will be using identity cards issued by the administrator of Kohima Municipal Council (KMC).

It stated that the citizens’ failure to comply with several safety directives issued by the authorities has forced the association to impose the latest rule.

When asked why the restriction will be imposed only from November 9, Kiewhuo told Eastern Mirror that they have some ‘technical issues which need to be pursued’ before putting a check on people without masks.

He said that they have decided to impose the restriction after two days so that proper publicity is given and the information reaches the people prior to the restriction.

Regarding the decision to charge INR 30 per mask from the defaulters when the protective cloth is available at a relatively lower price, Kiewhuo said that it is because many are not following government SOPs despite the rise in Covid-19 cases.

The association wants the ‘defaulters to feel the pinch,’ he said.

According to him, photographs of those failing to comply with the directives will be circulated on social media ‘which will have much more impact than buying a mask for INR 30 or INR 100’.

Kohima city is divided into 19 wards and around 10 volunteers from each ward will be detailed at their respective colonies to keep a vigil, he informed.

The restriction not only limits to citizens within the city but also people entering the municipal areas.