Nagaland BJP leader appeals to the citizens to observe janta curfew

Dimapur, March 20 (EMN): The deputy chief minister and leader of BJP Nagaland unit Y Patton has appealed to the citizens of the state to join the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, in observing a janta curfew or public curfew on March 22 from 7 am to 9 pm, ‘to show our solidarity that India and also Nagaland is ready to take on the challenge of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic’.

Modi has made a clarion call to the citizens, in his address to the nation on Thursday, to observe a janta curfew, a self-imposed isolation, for 14 hours on Sunday, in an attempt to fight the coronavirus.

In a statement on Friday, Patton has appealed to the people of Nagaland to "pitch for social distancing, maintaining personal hygiene and cleanliness while keeping ourselves updated on various dos and don'ts, advisories and notifications issued by the government through various departments in mass media and not to panic or get swayed by rumours spreading on social media from unauthenticated sources”. “Therefore, while keeping in mind our duties and responsibilities; let us join our hearts together for prevention and containing the pandemic,” the statement added.

The deputy CM stated that the public has an enormous task of preventing and controlling the spread of the coronavirus pandemic which has claimed thousands of lives. “Government of Nagaland is on its job to handle the situation with utmost sincerity and dedication, for which I wish to thank all the officials, personnel and departments concerned for their preparedness and further urge them to continue with their jobs with renewed vigour and determination,” the statement read.

He went on to highlight various advisories and notifications the government of Nagaland has issued of late for public safety, including closure of educational institutions till April 12, issue of Inner Limit Permit (ILP) and halting travel permits with immediate effect as well as the advisory to the public to refrain from holding social, religious, cultural, sports and political functions.

‘In Nagaland civil secretariat, the chief secretary has issued orders barring of visitors except officials and staff as precautionary measure till further orders, which is being followed suit by many other departments. Further, Border screening has been intensified in 14 entry points (Rail & Road) and thermal screening at the state's only airport in Dimapur is being carried out,’ the statement read.

‘It is also learnt that Health and Family Welfare department has kept 171 isolation beds ready to meet any eventualities. Nagaland state government has also constituted Special Action Group (SAG) on Covid-19, headed by Home Commissioner Abhijit Sinha and I am hopeful that this Core group will give valuable inputs and suggestions in our fight against the novel coronavirus,’ it added.