Our Reporter
Dimapur, March 23 (EMN): A day after the government of Nagaland announced indefinite lockdown of the state in the wake of the rapid rise in Covid-19 cases, Dimapur police on Monday imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in the commercial town, starting 6 am of March 24 until further orders.
This was declared by the District Magistrate and Commissioner of Police, Rothihu Tetseo, at a press conference held in Dimapur on Monday. Under this order, assembly of more than five persons is prohibited. (Pre-arranged gatherings will require special permission from the district magistrate).
Tetseo said that the decision of imposing Section 144 in Dimapur was taken for maintaining public health, safety and order as a precautionary measure to contain further transmission or spread of Covid-19 in Dimapur as well as Nagaland.
The commissioner reasoned that "this is a health emergency, and not the issue of the weakening of law and order in the district". Dimapur, he pointed out, is the gateway of Nagaland.
While maintaining that the police would take any step necessary for the service of the people, the commissioner, on the other hand, stressed on the support of the public in abiding and following the order, which is being imposed for the safety of everyone.
The commissioner warned that any person/group of persons acting in violation of this order would be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under section 1898 of the Indian Penal code.
On being asked about the number of police personnel deployed at the inter-state check gates, he said that 10-20 police personnel have been deployed, depending on the check gates to maintain law and order and to help the medical teams that are stationed there.
He added: "More police personnel will be deployed at all the check gates when needed."