Itanagar, Mar 22: Along with rest of the nation, people of Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday wholeheartedly observed ‘Janta Curfew’ by confining themselves indoor in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal.
At Raj Bhavan, Governor Brig. (Dr.) B. D. Mishra (Retd.) and First Lady Neelam Misra cancelled all their appointments and engagements of the day and stayed indoors.  Defining ‘Janta Curfew’ as an effort to break the chain of Covid-19 spread, Governor stressed on full social isolation, avoidance of crowded gathering, reduction of non-essential movements, physical distancing in public places and staying at home as precautions. He said the state in unison must rise to the occasion and display humanitarian attitude and give no room to hoarding of essential commodities and workers engaged in all establishments must be ensured payments. Urging the state’s citizens to follow the state government notifications on precautionary measures till the threat fully extinguishes, he requested all coming from outside the state to go for a home quarantine for the mandatory period of 14 days.
Joining the state’s people, Governor and First Lady participated in thanksgiving to the people delivering essential services by standing at the door of the entrance of Raj Bhavan main building and clapping for 5 minutes starting from 5.00 pm. He further hoped with dedication and sincere efforts of all, alertness of police and preparedness of the state administration, Arunachal Pradesh will fully succeed in combating the lethal virus.
Other than a very few who rendered essential services, all citizens remained confined to their homes throughout the 14-hour period starting from 7 am in the morning and ending at 9 pm on the evening.   West Kameng district observed a total ‘Janta Curfew’ as people remained at their homes.

The streets in district headquarters Bomdila and other Sub-divisions, Blocks, Circles and Villages wore a deserted look and there were hardly any people or vehicular movement. A mock drill on Covid-19 was held at General Hospital, Bomdila by the DMO Dr. D Wange, DSO Dr. SK Thongon and Medical Superintendent Dr. Gom Lamu. The thanksgiving at 5 pm witnessed blowing of conches, drum beatings, cymbals, brass bells and mass clapping by the people from all walks of life for the doctors, nurses, medical staff, police & paramilitary personnel, magistrates etc who are working selflessly to combat the crisis.
Meanwhile, anticipating the celebrations by people in large numbers after the ‘Janta Curfew’ which might negate its very purpose, DC cum DM Karma Leki has issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC which shall remain in force from 2100 hrs to till 5 am in the morning of March 23. 
‘Janta Curfew’ in Papum Pare district witnessed full people’s participation all across the district.
Coinciding with the day, a mock drill on emergency response for handling Covid-19 cases in government hospitals was also conducted today at the Community Health Centre, Doimukh to prepare the health staff to face actual situations. District Medical Officer Dr. Subu Tasso Kampu informed that through this mock exercise, health workers got the necessary training on collecting nasopharyngeal and throat swab as well as quarantine and isolation techniques.
SP Papum Pare, DDMO, DRCHO, DSO, MO I/c CHC Doimukh, programme officers and staff were present during the exercise. 
In East Siang district, going a step ahead of the mandated 14-hour ‘Janta Curfew’ period, District Magistrate Dr. Kinny Singh restricted public & vehicular movements and celebrations etc on Sunday from 7 am till midnight instead of 9 pm, stating that such restrictions would add more benefits to the corona fightback.
To add more effectiveness to ‘Janta Curfew’, DM Singh prohibited public gathering of more than four persons in a place u/s 144 CrPC and all institutions (government/private), shops/markets/malls etc remained closed except medical/pharmacy stores. No assembly of devotees for the purpose of prayer at religious institutions like mandir/masjid/church were allowed for the day in the district. Meanwhile, DC has appealed the citizens not to pay heed to rumours, specifically mentioning that the news regarding corona positive cases in East Siang circulating on social media is false and baseless. 
“We had sent the sample of a student and it came back negative. So no Corona till now in East Siang,” she asserted and advised all not to move around except when extremely necessary and take adequate preventive measures such as practicing social distancing, disinfecting homes and workplaces and protecting elders and children with extra care. PRO Raj Bhavan, DIPRO inputs

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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