Political parties, NGOs pitch for lockdown extension in Mizoram

Aizawl, May 14 () Political parties, NGOs andvarious groups in Mizoram pitched at a meeting with ChiefMinister Zoramthanga on Thursday that the lockdown be extendedto prevent the spread of the coronavirus, an official said.

Mizoram at present has no COVID-19 case as the state'slone patient tested negative and was discharged from ZoramMedical College (ZMC) on May 9.

The meeting unanimously agreed that the lockdown mustbe extended, the official of the Chief Minister's Office said.

However, the matter was referred to the state-leveltask force for the final decision, she said.

The state-level task force has also been tasked toprepare new guidelines in consultation with other task groupsif the lockdown period is extended.

The meeting was attended by political parties, MizoramKohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC), NGO CoordinationCommittee, Mizoram branch of the Indian Medical Association(IMA), Mizoram Government Doctors' Association (MGDA), MizoramLocal Councils Association, All Mizoram Village CouncilsAssociation and Mizoram Journalists Association (MJA).

Zoramthanga told the meeting that the extension of thelockdown was crucial to ensure public safety although Mizoramhas been declared as a green zone.

Those present in the meeting were also informed that10,496 people from the state, currently stranded in differentparts of the country, have registered so far, wanting toreturn.

The government has set up quarantine facilities invarious parts of the state and the total capacity is 4,172.

Altogether, 1,518 people are currently in isolation atvarious quarantine centres across the state. About 547outsiders are currently stranded in Mizoram, according toofficials of the home department.

About 1,000 people from Tamil Nadu are likely toarrive in the state on Friday.

The government is planning to facilitate the return ofthe stranded people in a staggered manner, officials said. CORRSOM SOM