After Cachar & Hailakandi, Lockdown declared in Karimganj for 9 days from 27 August

August 24: After much deliberation, finally lockdown for 9 days has been imposed in Karimganj district. In a notification issued by Anbamuthan MP, Deputy Commissioner Karimganj cum Chairperson of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Karimganj on 24 August, it was stated that “This order shall come into force with effect from 5:00 a.m. of 27th August, 2020 and shall remain in force up till 12:00 a.m. (mid-night) of 4th September (09 days), 2020 and will he applicable throughout the district of Karimganj.” Although the term ‘lockdown’ is not mentioned in the orders issued in all the 3 districts of Barak Valley, however, the implication of the guidelines are almost akin to that of lockdown.

The order stated that,  “In pursuance of order issued by Chief Secretary. Assam vide Memo No. ASDMA.24/ 2020/Part-1/100 dated 23/08/2020, I, therefore in my capacity as the Chairperson of District Disaster Management Authority, Karimganj in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 30(2)(v), of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, do hereby issue the following directives.”

1. All shops and establishments expect pharmacies will remain shut in Karimganj town, Badarpur town and Ramkrishnanagar Town along with the following semi urban areas:  Fakir Bazar in Karimganj Revenue Circle,  Bhanga Bazar in Badarpur Revenue Circle, Nilambazar Bazar & Kaliganj Bazar in Nilambazar Revenue Circle,  Patharkandi Bazar & Asimganj Bazar in Patharkandi Revenue Circle; Anipur Bazar, Dullavcherra Bazar & Kazir Bazar in R. K Nagar Revenue Circle.

2. All weekly, bi-weekly, daily, morning and evening bazaars/haats will be suspended throughout the district.

3. Standalone shops in rural areas (except in areas designated at SI. No. 1) will be allowed to operate between 8:00 am to 4 pm.

4. Backend activities to maintain the supply chain of essential commodities will be allowed at all times.

5 All kinds of public construction work, agriculture and allied activities, activities in tea gardens and all activities and industries requiring continuous processes are allowed

6 There shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/approval/e-Permit will be required for such movements.

7. Besides BPHCs, Covid Counselling and Screening Centres are established across the district where tests for COVID-19 will be carried out every day between 9:30 am to 4 pm to encourage the citizens to voluntarily come forward for getting tested

8. All government offices and establishments including banks, post offices, etc. will be allowed to function as usual while following strict COVID protocols.

9. Plying of local public transport including e-rickshaws will be allowed only for emergency services and for ferrying persons to and from COVID testing centres, after following strict social distancing norms.

Any person or establishment violating these directives will be liable to be proceeded against under section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act. 2005 besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC and other legal provisions as applicable.