No total lockdown in Phek, clarifies district administration

Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 30 (EMN): The lightning total lockdown called by the Phek Town Youth Society (PTYS) and Phek Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PCCI) on Wednesday created commotion in Phek town with residents resorting to panic buying until midnight and people waiting in long queues despite the closure of business establishments earlier in the evening.

However, the district authorities have clarified that there was no such total lockdown and termed the move by the two organisations as “unauthorised”.

The PTYS and PCCI decided to impose a total lockdown at an emergency meeting held on July 29 at 7 pm, and the same was reportedly made public by one of the officials.

According to the announcement, the decision was arrived at in view of “two Phek town citizens” who reportedly had primary contacts with Covid-19 positive person. It added that the whole Zion colony would be declared containment zone till further notice and the “total lockdown will be imposed within the town starting from July 29 midnight” till further notice.

It also stated that no outsiders would be allowed to enter the town; no Phek town citizens would be allowed to move out of their residence; and ‘transports of any kind disallowed’. However, the administration, security personnel, medical and frontline workers, pharmacy and PTYS, PCCI and PTC were exempted.

However, Deputy Commissioner of Phek Sachin Jaiswal, who is also the chairman of district task force, informed Eastern Mirror that the total lockdown call was “unauthorised” and ‘stands void’.

It said any decision for imposition of lockdown will be communicated through proper channel after deliberation by the district task force and concerned stakeholders.

“The district task force for Phek is constrained to issue this clarification regarding the confusion being created as a result of unverified and unauthorised call for total lockdown,” it maintained, adding that all medical and other guidelines notified by the state government were being strictly followed.

It further urged the citizens not to panic but to follow the guidelines issued by the state government and continue to face masks, hand sanitiser and maintain social distancing.