As the number of Covid19 cases continues to rise in the state and country, several villages and colonies of Arunachal Pradesh’s West Siang district have once again started to voluntarily opt for self-imposed lockdown.
The villages and colonies have stopped allowing the entry of outsiders and have also come up with their own lockdown rules, some, which can also attract a fine of up to Rs 10,000 if violated.
On the other hand, the village committees are also keeping a close vigil on people who are presently on home quarantine.
To prevent the spread of COVID19, several civil societies and community based organizations had earlier in the district sealed all boundaries and entry points connecting their respective villages and colonies.
The organizations had also resorted to performing traditional rituals such as ‘Ali-Ternam’.
‘Ali-Ternam’ is a ritual practiced by the Galo community since time immemorial during times of epidemic. It is basically a lockdown of a single village or villages which is observed for a few days or weeks in order to stop the spread of the epidemic.
The ritual is also performed to ward off evil spirits by the villagers.
Meanwhile, officials said following the introduction of odd-even policy in the district, the movement of pedestrians and vehicles at sensitive public places has gone drastically down.
West Siang deputy commissioner Moki Loyi has appealed to all to extend their contribution to the administration and government in the fight against the Covid19 pandemic.
He also appealed all to obey the lockdown rules circulated from time to time for the general interest of all.
The present tally of active Covid19 cases in Arunachal is 55.
