Newmai News Network
Tura | April 9
The porous inter-state border with Assam in the Phulbari area under West Garo Hills district poses a serious threat of COVID-19 spreading to the area, as observed by the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) on Wednesday.
Taking note of this threat, the GSU-Phulbari unit has written to the Superintendent of Police (SP), West Garo Hills urging him to enhance the presence of security personnel in the area.
“The density of population in the plain belt area is high and it is cumbersome to identify new entrants despite the nationwide lockdown. Despite the restrictions, there are still many vehicles moving to and fro between Phulbari and Chibinang – with many taking undue advantage of the curfew relaxation,” said GSU-Phulbari unit president Francewell Marak in his appeal to the SP.
The organisation further alleged that some unscrupulous people are ferrying people between Dhinarkutty (Meghalaya) and Balughat (Assam) in the early morning hours to escape the patrol parties which are tasked with ensuring the imposition of the 21-day lockdown presently in force.
“This is a serious breach of protocol of the respective states and the sealing of the border. Given the situation, we request that extra security arrangements be made to ensure safety and security of residents during the lockdown called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Marak added.
