DC Cachar writes to Chief Secretary forwarding “market associations'” proposal of a lockdown from August 10

The deputy commissioner of Cachar who is also the chairperson of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has written to the chief secretary of Assam forwarding a proposal to enforce lockdown in the district. The proposal was made by “some market associations of Fatak Bazar”

The letter states that “A meeting was called on August 6, 2020, by Silchar MP Rajdeep Roy and was chaired by the Minister Parimal Suklabaidya. The meeting was also attended by MLA Silchar, MLA Katigorah & MLA Borkhola, representative and Superintendent of Police, Cachar.”

It adds, “The honourable members desired for a lockdown in the district to stem the inflow of positive cases. They suggested that Saturday and Sunday dated 8 & 9, August be permitted for citizens to stock their homes & lockdown be announced from 10 to 13 August 2020 (4 days) with relief on 14. and 15. August and to continue from 16th.”

It is also mentioned in the letter that, Silchar Medical College which caters to entire Barak Valley is facing problems with bed shortage as they are treating symptomatic patients. SMCH Bed capacity currently is 270, occupied by 240 & ICU capacity is 14, occupied by 14.

The DC mentioned that some merchant associations of Silchar town are voluntarily asking for a lockdown of their business centres to contain the further spread of the virus. “I have the honour to state that in the last ten days the number of positive cases in Cachar District has seen a rapid increase and for the first time in Barak Valley total cases in the last ten days is around 985. The average number of cases per day is around 98 these days,” stated the letter signed by DC Jalli.

The deputy commissioner’s letter is mere forwarding of a proposal.. “When we receive any such proposal, we forward it to govt for consideration with facts.. they may or may not decide,” said a senior officer in the district administration.

“We have not proposed a lockdown. We have just forwarded the proposal made by the market association. The government will now take note of this proposal and decide accordingly,” clarified, J R Lalsim, district development officer.