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Guwahati/Shillong/Agartala, April 27 (IANS): Most north-eastern states are for extending the nationwide lockdown beyond May 3 with relaxations in economic activities and public services in ‘green zones’.
After the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video link on Monday, the chief ministers of eight NE states tweeted their views vowing to strengthen the collective fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Later, officials of several NE states echoed the chief ministers over phone to IANS.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh tweeted the need for collective effort of the states and the Centre and possible relaxation in ‘green zones’ was discussed with the prime minister.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma tweeted: “At the video conference, we proposed to continue with the lockdown post-May 3 with relaxations in activities in ‘green zones’ in Meghalaya.”
According to a release by the Meghalaya chief minister’s office, Sangma suggested the prime minister the Meghalaya model of “rapid response system”. In this, on detection of a Covid-19 case the health administration and the police initiate steps within specified time-frame.
The rapid response system would enable the government to work at micro level, like the panchayat institutions, and gear up for the future, it added.
Meghalaya has reported 12 nCoV positive cases. Of this, 11 are active and one person, a senior doctor, died. Two districts have been categorised ‘red zones’.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal hailed the Prime Minister for his leadership in this trying times in his tweet.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb tweeted, “Took part in the video conference, noted the instructions given by the PM to strengthen our fight against Covid-19.”
After the video conference, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu tweeted that the doubling rate had slowed to 9.1 days.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in his tweet said ‘discussed with the prime minister and the chief ministers future course of action to tackle Covid-19’.
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga said: “I talked about actions taken by our state and the discipline and cooperation of people.”
Four of the eight NE states are free from coronavirus and its spread has been tamed in other four states. Of the 54 cases detected in 7 of the 8 NE states, excluding Sikkim, there are only 20 active cases -- seven in Assam, 11 in Meghalaya and one in Mizoram, besides a 33-year-old trader from Dimapur, Nagaland, undergoing treatment at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital since April 12.
Two people, a senior doctor in Meghalaya and a 65-years-old Covid-19 patient, died.