Guwahati:
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday held a telephonic conversation with his Nagaland counterpart Neiphiu Rio to discuss the sealing of borders Assam's Sivasagar and Charaideo following detection of Covid-19 cases in Sonari, According to the Assam Chief Minister, Rio has responded 'positively' to his request to re-open the routes for specific purposes.
The Chief Minister's office later informed via Twitter, "Keeping in view the complete lockdown in Nagaland, CM Sarbananda Sonowal talked with CM Neiphiu Rio and requested him to allow transportation of green leaf (tea) & construction materials following all guidelines. The Nagaland CM has assured of best possible support in this regard."
It may be mentioned here that Nagaland's Mon district which shares its borders with Assam had recently sealed its borders with the state. Deputy Commissioner Thavaseelan K in an order issued on Thursday declared that the "inter-state movement of people and vehicles is strictly prohibited and strict penal action shall be initiated against those violators under relevant provisions of the law."
Order sealing border with Assam
The order was issued amid rising apprehensions over a sharp spike in Covid-19 cases in Assam, with the tally doubling in a mere 5 days after the return of several thousand stranded citizens.
In a similar development, the district administration of Longding in Arunachal Pradesh has also restricted the movement of migrant labourers from Assam keeping in mind view the surge of Covid-19 cases. Longding too has proximity to Assam through Sonari. Deputy Commissioner Chesta Yadav in an order issued on Friday prohibited unauthorized entry of labourers, construction workers, businessmen, and salesmen into the district after reports of two Covid-19 positive cases in Sonari town on Thursday.