The Arunachal Pradesh government’s decision to convert the newly constructed MLA apartments at Chimpu into a 40-bedded COVID-19 hospital has sparked off a row.
The residents of the locality have erupted in protest, stating that it would put the entire locality at risk.
The government took the decision as the Tomo Riba Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) in Naharlagun is overburdened.
The residents on Tuesday erected a bamboo barricade, obstructing the approach road to the MLA apartments, stating that they would not allow the government to convert the apartments into a COVID-19 hospital.
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Meanwhile, the Itanagar Capital Region deputy commissioner Komkar Dulom said the district administration would initiate steps to resolve the issue with the residents.
Earlier, health minister Alo Libang, accompanied by Health Secretary P Parthiban, TRIHMS Director Dr Moji Jini and other officials visited the MLA apartments to assess the feasibility of converting it into a makeshift COVID-19 hospital.
The team inspected every section of the establishment, particularly the clubhouse building, where the makeshift hospital with all basic facilities, including an ICU, would be established.