CM Sarbananda Sonowal visits Barak Valley; reviews COVID-19 situation in Hailakandi

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed the COVID-19 situation in Hailakandi district on Wednesday.

Reviewing the preparedness of the district administration with senior officials, heads of departments and MPs and MLAs at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall here, Chief Minister Sonowal asked everyone to work unitedly and resolutely in the fight against COVID-19.

“It’s a long-drawn-out battle against COVID-19 and everyone must rise in unison to overcome the huge challenge posed by the virus world over,” said Sonowal adding, “The contagious virus knows no religion, no region, no caste, creed, poor or rich, and transcends all the geographical barriers. To overcome this huge challenge, we have to fight unitedly.”

Sonowal said that he is engaged in holding talks with religious leaders so that people of all faiths stick to the lockdown guidelines and not assemble in places of worship.

The review meeting was attended, among others, by Minister for Environment and Forest, Parimal Suklabaidya, MP Karimganj, Kripanath Mallah, MP Silchar, Dr.Rajdeep Roy, MLA Hailakandi, Anwar Hussain Laskar, MLA Algapur, Nizamuddin Choudhury, former minister Gautam Roy, Additional Deputy Commissioners, EL Faihraem and RK Dam and District BJP president, Swapon Bhattacharjee.

The Chief Minister also said social distancing and avoiding gatherings are the only way out to arrest the spread of the virus. “As there is no vaccine, the only way out to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus COVID-19 is maintaining social distancing and avoiding gatherings,” he equipped.

Sonowal asked the administration to ensure the uninterrupted flow of essential commodities and power supply during the lockdown period.

He instructed the administration to take stern action against those posting objectional posts in the social media that can flare up communal tension and create stumbling blocks in the fight against COVID-19. “The Government will not tolerate any objectionable posts in the social media and stern action will be taken against the offenders,” he warned.

Highlighting about the best practices adopted by the administration to deal with the Coronavirus situation, Hailakandi DC Jalli Keerti said mapping of affected areas and data management of people coming into Hailakandi from affected areas and abroad have been recorded block-wise.

The Deputy Commissioner apprised the Chief Minister about the steps taken for screening of people who have from outside and constant surveillance and monitoring of the over 1500 people under home quarantine. Of the 55 swab samples taken, one has tested positive while 44 have turned out to be negative, she said.

Jalli said the administration has enough foodgrains to last for two months. The Deputy Commissioner further informed the Chief Minister that retail and wholesale prices are circulated and put up prominently in the groceries.