Kohima War Cemetery closed to public over coronavirus outbreak

Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 21 (EMN): Following Home department’s decision to shut down all public places in Nagaland state as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), Kohima War Cemetery was temporarily closed for public on Saturday.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, Lhouvi Mezhur Sekhose, manager of Africa and Asia Pacific Area, CWGC, said that it was waiting for permission from the main office of CWCG, UK, to notify them for closure of the cemetery. On receiving the letter by mid-day, the Kohima War Cemetery was closed down temporarily for public, until further notice from the state government, he added. 

When visited, the cemetery was kept open for public till noon on Saturday but was closed down by evening. The manager said that the Home Department notification dated March 20 was submitted to the Headquarter, UK, on the same day.  Owing to time zone difference, the cemetery was kept open while waiting for permission from the UK.  

The Home Department, General Administration Branch, signed by Abhijit Sinha, Principal Secretary to Government of Nagaland, on Friday in a notification stated: “as precautionary measures to prevent and control outbreak of Corona virus (COVID-19) in the state, it has been decided to close down public places in the state as listed below till further orders”.

The places including State Museum; State Archives; State Library; World War-II Museum, Kisama; State Academy Hall; Bamboo Hall; RCEMPA; Childrens Park; and Capital Convention Centre were closed down for public, except for officials and staffs. In addition, all other places and areas including park, recreation centres etc, which are frequented by a number of people will remain closed and out of bound of the public till further orders, it stated.