AAPSU threatens bandh if COVID-19 cases rise in state

ITANAGAR: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has said that the Union may impose a bandh anytime and anywhere at the district or state levels if the COVID-19 case increases in the State.

Addressing the media at the press club, AAPSU vice president Meje Taku said that the Union strongly opposes the decision to re-open schools, colleges and universities amidst the increase of COVID-19 positive cases in the State. He appealed to the State government to publish a notification mentionin that all schools and colleges will remain closed till August 31, 2020.

"Even after the said deadline to re-open the schools and colleges across Arunachal Pradesh, the State government should make sure that the academic session is functional with prepared precautions against COVID-19," he said.

The Union also appealed for the immediate withdrawal of Deputy Commissioner's order DC/ICR-01/2020 dated June 12, 2020 regarding food and lodging facilities of police personnel in various paid quarantine centers.

"Why is the district administration failing to provide food and lodging to those police personnel who are on their duty 24X7 taking care of the quarantined person in various quarantine centers?" he questioned. Taku also stressed upon the Union's previous demand for re-testing of the returnees and demanded immediate installation and operationalisation of testing machines in various districts.

While seeking modification in the current standard operating procedures (SOPs), AAPSU requested the State government for conducting tests for all the frontline workers and to set up laboratories with paid testing for those who want to get tested.

AAPSU also appealed for strengthening the security in all entry check gates of the State as well as districts, as many illegal entries are in practice as per complaints from the public.

AAPSU suggested an 'Anti-Body Rapid' test for those track drivers transporting essential commodities instead of just thermal scanning.

Also watch: Evening Bulletin | 13th June, 2020