People, as well as officials from all over India, are facing the largest pandemic in the world. News reports and statements from across India clearly showcase how bad the ground situation is. And the numbers do not seem to drop down anytime soon.
Indian Masterminds spoke exclusively with the Superintendent of Police of Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh, IPS officer Mr. Jimmy Chiram to understand the situation in the state.
FOCUSED APPROACH TOWARDS PEOPLE COMING FROM OUTSIDE
Arunachal Pradesh has lower cases of coronavirus, as compared to most affected states in the country such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Delhi, etc. However, the numbers are rising by the day.
“As of now, there are 279 active cases in the state, and yesterday the number increased by 73. In my own district, we have 109 cases and the numbers are continuously increasing,” Mr. Chiram told Indian Masterminds.
The reason behind this rapid increase in the number of cases is mostly the migrants or natives coming back into the state from places like Maharashtra, Delhi, etc. Therefore, Mr. Chiram has shifted his focus towards these people entering from other states into Arunachal Pradesh to keep a check on the rising cases.
“To keep a track of them, we have started screening and testing each and every person who is coming from outside, on the border itself. In my district, we have one border and near my district, we have three different borders through which people can come in the state. At all the check posts and border points, we are carrying out screening and testing,” says Mr. Chiram.
PROOF REPORTS TO GET INSIDE THE STATE
Just screening and testing people at a check post or border point is not enough to keep out the virus from entering the state. The second wave of coronavirus has contaminated a lot of people who haven’t shown any particular ‘Covid’ symptoms but are still infected by the virus.
To deal with such cases, Mr. Chiram came up with a decision. He laid out guidelines wherein travelers coming from outside the state will have to either show their vaccination report card or a recent RT-PCR test report stating that they have been tested negative for the virus.
“Only if they have the adequate reports, will we allow them into the state, otherwise we will have to ask them to return,” Mr. Chiram added.
DEPLOYED POLICE IN HOT SPOTS AND BORDERS
Furthermore, the officer has deployed several teams in ‘hotspot regions’ as well as on the borders of Arunachal Pradesh. He is also ensuring that his police personnel is themselves following all the protocols and covering their faces with mask and face shields, their hands with gloves, and carrying sanitizers at all times, in order to be safe.
“In this way, we are ensuring that our people are also safe along with keeping the public safe,” Mr. Chiram told Indian Masterminds.
TRACKING RECORDS OF THE PEOPLE
In order to be able to handle the situation, in case anyone tests positive, Mr. Chiram and his team of Itanagar police have been keeping a tab on every traveler’s history and details.
“We are keeping the list of details of anyone who is entering so that in case of any spread, we can contact the person and anyone who has come in close contact with him in the last few days,” stated the officer.
SITUATION UNDER CONTROL IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH
According to Mr. Chiram, the situation is pretty much under control in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The majority of the public here, around 80 %, is following all the necessary protocols such as wearing masks and gloves in public, to keep themselves and their families safe.
“The remaining 20% cause some issues at times, but we are continuously raising awareness through social media and online media, newspapers, radio, and television so that they are motivated to follow the laid-out Covid guidelines,” he told Indian Masterminds.
The vaccination drive in the district is going on in full flow. Itanagar has around seven complexes where you can simply walk in, register yourself, and get vaccinated, free of cost.
The entire country is facing one of its biggest challenges in history. This coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented and nobody knows when this is coming to an end. All we know is that we need to stay safe, in our homes and follow all the guidelines and protocols laid out by the experts. The steps being taken in Arunachal can surely be considered as role models for other places facing the brunt of the virus.
