Lockdown still in place, says DC amidst confusion
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, 17 May: The Itanagar capital region (ICR) administration has cancelled the permits it had issued to small shops in residential areas, following the massive movement of people and vehicles in the market areas on Monday.
The ICR administration has also imposed a curfew till 31 May with immediate effect.
As per the new order, the permits issued to a few identified shops in sectors and colonies to function in the capital region stand cancelled with immediate effect.
Addressing reporters, ICR DC Talo Potom said that many people misunderstood the order issued as ‘containment measures’ for the entire state and the ‘order for lockdown’ in the capital region, following which many came out to the streets on Monday and shops were also opened.
He said that “people should not be confused and understand that the lockdown has been extended for 14 days and is still in place till 31 May.”
Though the DC attributed Monday’s scenario to confusion among the public over the multiple Covid-19 containment orders, he, however, expressed concern over the people not understanding the gravity of the pandemic situation and venturing out of their homes for no reason.
The DC said that some shops in sectors and colonies in the capital were issued permits to open for the convenience of the public, “but now it has to be also cancelled because it is defeating the containment efforts of the frontline workers and the administration.”
At the same time, he informed that supplies of vegetables, meat and fish would be made available in the sectors and colonies for those who cannot avail e-commerce delivery services, for which he has had a meeting with the corporators.
Potom informed that no person is allowed to venture out, and no shops or other commercial establishments are allowed to open, except the exempted ones. “Those violating the order will be prosecuted under IPC Section 188, and can be put behind bars for upto four months,” the DC added.
Meanwhile, the DC appealed to those exempted from the purview of the curfew to not come out if not on duty.
Acknowledging that many exempted officials and individuals are also coming out without any duty assigned to them, the DC informed that strict checking will be conducted at all nakas set up across the capital region. “Each naka will also be provided with magistrates on duty to ensure that exemption to a few is not misused,” he added.
The DC further appealed to all to not come out of their homes even for daily morning walks, and to cooperate with the administration and the frontline workers for their own safety.
Stressing on the seriousness of the situation following the detection of a highly contagious variant of the coronavirus in the state, the DC appealed to everyone to stay home and avail home delivery services for essential commodities.
Informing that enough home delivery services have been identified and are functioning, the DC informed that only those home delivery service staffers who have tested Covid-19 negative are allowed to function.
Regarding any price-related complaints, Covid-related assistance or for pass to travel, one can call the 24/7 Covid control helpdesk number 94-936-281-3608 or send an e-mail to the covidcontrolroomitanagar@gmail.com, the DC added.
