Travel period of three days within Nagaland

Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 5 (EMN): Following its decision to permit inter-district movement for stranded persons, the state government has now given them three days’ time to return to their homes starting May 7.

“The government is allowing movement of locals/indigenous persons who are stranded and desire to return to their home districts/ villages during the period (from May 7 to the 9th),” read a government order issued on Tuesday.

In a notification addressed to the deputy commissioners (DC) of the 11 districts, Additional Chief Secretary and Finance Commissioner Sentiyanger Imchen directed all districts to “make necessary arrangements as instructed earlier to facilitate the movement of people to their respective destination in consultation with their respective district NST officials”.

It also directed respective DCs to make necessary arrangements “immediately”.

Free NST bus services will be provided for the transportation of such persons, it added.

As for the people of Mon district, it informed that the bus (NST) would take the Nagaland-Assam route escorted by police without any stoppages in Assam.

For private vehicles travelling to Mon district, they have been directed to take the Kohima-Wokha-Mokokchung-Longleng route.

The revised guideline issued on May 4 stated that the entire state of Nagaland falls under ‘green zone’ as per the union government’s criteria.

“Therefore, there will not be quarantining of persons entering a district/town/village from within anywhere in Nagaland,” it stated.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Temjen Toy also said that the government will take necessary actions against those who restrict stranded persons from entering their respective villages, towns or districts.

Facilitation cell at Kohima local ground

In accordance with the state government’s directive, the Kohima district administration has opened a “facilitation cell” at the local ground, Kohima on Tuesday, to receive applications from stranded and distressed local/indigenous people.

According to an order from Deputy Commissioner of Kohima Gregory Thejawelie on Tuesday, “the action was initiated to ensure seamless movement as per laid down standard protocols”.

The nodal officer for the cell is Samuel Thyug, sub-divisional officer (C) Chiephobozou (Mobile No. +91 8974653353). Formats of the application can be collected from the facilitation cell.

The application will be compiled thereafter for necessary directives and perusal, it stated.

It also directed that tribal bodies, wards, and village authorities to compile the list from their respective jurisdictions and submit to the facilitation centre as per the format provided.

Stranded and in-distress local/indigenous people wanting to travel in their own private vehicle would be allowed after the DC issues necessary permit specifying travel dates.

Separate format of application is available at the facilitation cell, the order added.

Further, the stranded and distressed persons were asked to take special care and ensure that social distancing and other protocols are maintained at all times, such as compulsory use of facemasks and disinfecting/sanitising of buses etc.

It also added that the movement regime is permitted for local/indigenous people for inter-district travel only and having permanent address in Nagaland.