Arunachal Pradesh Government urged to stop return of stranded people

Changlang district is worst affected with the pandemic with 37 positive cases being detected, all returnees from other affected states of the country.

The people and leaders of the district made the appeal in view of the rising COVID-19 cases in the state. They attributed the spike in cases to the returning people from different states, particularly the red zones.

The public leaders of Miao, irrespective of political affiliations, called on ADC Tage Rumi and submitted a memorandum on Tuesday pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The memorandum stated that "if the stranded students and workers continue to return to the state, the possibility of community transmissions and un-proportionate spike in near future cannot be ruled out."

They expressed firm apprehension that all returnees to the state entering Miao and Bordumsa subdivision via the Namchick central check gate might not belong to Changlang district.

"There is every chance of non-residents exploiting the pandemic situation and sneaking into Miao, Diyun and Bordumsa circles," the memorandum stated.

The leaders strongly demanded systematic checking at the check gates "by adopting a strong and secured mechanism in the form of computerized systems to ascertain the authenticity of the proof provided by the returnees."

Expressing dismay over the converting of many government buildings in the heart of Miao township into quarantine facilities, the leaders demanded construction of quarantine centres at M'pen and Deban to accommodate the returnees of those areas, instead of in Miao township, in order to contain the spread of the virus.

Other demands included suspension of weekly bazaars, formation of a task force, and mandatory sanitization of public places and buildings.

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