Shortage of thermal scanners in two interstate check gates

Kohima, March 26 (PTI): Nagaland is facing shortage of thermal scanner machines in two check gates bordering Manipur for screening people crossing the interstate boundary, a senior official said.

Deputy Director of Health department Dr. Nyan Kikon said, with the decision of screening passengers in Dimapur railway station to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus, there was a dearth of thermal scanners in Khuzama and Wokha check gates.

There are 14 interstate check gates in Nagaland.

However, the state has already placed orders for procuring thermal scanners and it would be supplied to all the check gates very soon, the official said.

Thermal cameras use heat sensors to record temperature generated by a person and thermal screening is done to screen higher body temperature related to infections that can cause an epidemic.

With Manipur reporting its first coronavirus positive case, a prominent youth organisation of Southern Angami region in Nagaland, had put up a road blockade on NH 2 on Wednesday in protest against the shortage of thermal scanners at Khuzama check gate.

Zakeleto, president of Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO), the organisation of Southern Angami region, bordering Manipur, said that the state government had ordered screening of people crossing the interstate check gate to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but there were no thermal scanners to screen people at Khuzama check gate.

Zakieleto said that the district administration has assured the SAYO that thermal scanners would be used to screen drivers and helpers of trucks crossing the Khuzama check gate on their return from Manipur.