Trinath & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Dec 03: The North and Middle Andaman District Administration recently declared containment zones in major areas of Shyamkund Village and Bakultala Market, following detection of some COVID -19 cases in the region for the safety of the people of entire North and Middle Andaman.
But villagers of Shyamkund Village and Bakultala Market area alleged that such restrictions over movement are nothing but harassment to general public. They alleged that instead of declaring micro containment zones around houses of nearly five families, from which COVID-19 cases have been detected, declaring the entire area as containment zone in unjustified.
Villagers expressed concern over plight of farmers as because of such restrictions they are unable to do paddy cultivation and are also unable to bring vegetables to market. Fishermen also expressed similar problems.
A large number villagers reportedly gathered near the barricades last night at Bakultala and demanded to remove the barricading and withdrawal of containment zones.
When contacted the Deputy Commissioner of North and Middle Andaman, Dr. Angel Bhati Chauhan, IAS told Andaman Sheekha that following reports of such complaints from the side of public, officials of N & M District Administration today met with the villagers and discussed on this issue.
“We are conducting extensive testing in North and Middle Andaman and even in remote villages random testing are conducted. During such random testing a few cases were detected from Shyamkund village of Middle Andaman and therefore restrictions were imposed on the area and some portion of Bakultala Market, where people of Shyamkund usually visit,” Dr. Angel Bhati Chauhan.
She said that the main problems of villagers were heard by officials and the District Administration has now made arrangements that together with the essential services, some relaxation to the farmers and fishermen have been given so that with minimum exposure they can continue with their livelihood.
The DC added that people also demanded removal of barricades but officials of N & N Andaman District Administration explained them about importance of barricading to prevent spread of COVID-19 and also were able to convince them keep the area barricaded.
“We will conduct re-survey of the entire area for any ILI symptoms or any symptomatic cases. If there is a sufficient improvement in the situation then further relaxation will be given,” the DC added.
