COVID-19 | Dissatisfied with WJH’s district admin, headmen knocks CM’s door

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 12, 2020

Expressing grave dissatifaction over the preparedness for combatting COVID-19 in West Jaintia Hills by District Administration, the Synjuk Ki Waheh Chnong Jowai, a conglomerate body of traditional headmen of various localities in Jowai Town urged the Chief Minister making immediate intervention to resolve their issues.

In a letter to the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the Synjuk informed that the district shares a long international border with Bangladesh as well as inter-state border with neighbouring state of Assam.

President of the Synjuk A Niangti and general secretary LD Lakiang said that the district health authority does not have proper personal protection equipments (PPEs) while refering to a recent incident where a person from outside the state came to Ladthalaboh locality.

In view of this, they said there is a feeling of insecurity among the general public towards the government’s preparedness to fight against COVID-19 in as far as the district is concerned.

The leaders of the Synjuk also informed that the matter was also brought to the notice of the health minister AL Hek during his recent visit to the district and who has also taken note of the concerns.

On the other hand, the Synjuk however expressed concern that it is yet to receive clear cut information from the government on whether it has set up any relief camp for migrant workers and isolation/quarantine centres in the district.

At the same time, it also suggested the need to utilize the pucca house previously used by the JNV School and later by the 3rd MLP Battalion, at the outskirt of Jowai town and far away from Khliehtyrchi village, as isolation and quarantine centre.

The headmen also requested the government to provide adequate hand-washing basins in public places especially those identified for selling and buying of essential commodities, to prevent spread of the coronavirus in the district citing that not even one is visible at present.

They also stressed on the need for the government to ensure adequate manpower is deployed to maintain strict vigilance along the international and inter-state borders to prevent illegal entry of outsiders into the district and the state.

“The case of Altaf Hussian, a resident of Assam visited his wife who is staying in rented house at Ladthalaboh during the Lockdown is suitable example of the lapses of the authority on the ground which should not be repeated,” the Synjuk said.

It further suggested the need to monitor and ensure uniform price list of essential commodities to prevent unscrupulous people from taking advantage of the present situation and thereby unnecessary causing hardship to the poor.

The Synjuk also demanded that the proposal to open the two markets in Jowai at Ladthalaboh and Iawmusiang should be kept in abeyance.

“If the lockdown is withdrawn, the present arrangement should continue to be implemented till such time that social distancing is maintained,” they said.

Expressing concern over the negative impact on the livelihood activities of the people including taxi drivers, labourers, and others, the Synjuk also requested the state government to extend relief to such section of the society.