AIZAWL, May 2 - Any violation of lockdown restrictions in Mizoram will now invite �exemplary punishment�. The Mizoram Cabinet approved of an ordinance today as a stringent measure on the COVID-19 situation. Stray incidents of lockdown violation have been reported in Mizoram.
According to an official source, Mizoram Health Minister Dr R Lalthangliana tabled the Ordinance for Containment and Prevention of COVID-19 at the Cabinet meeting.
The Mizoram Government will strictly implement the Central Government�s decision to extend the ongoing lockdown by two weeks from May 4.
On Friday, the Mizoram Chapter of the Indian Medical Association and the Mizoram Government Doctors� Association had expressed concern over the rise of COVID-19 cases in the country and stressed the need to extend the lockdown to control the spread of the disease. In this regard, the two associations had submitted their views to the Mizoram Health Minister.
Earlier, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga had said that his Government would go by the decision of the Centre with regard to the lockdown. He said that Mizoram is located in a vulnerable area as it shares border with Assam, Manipur and Tripura, and also a 722-km unfenced international boundary with Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Meanwhile, the Mizoram Police have stepped up vigil on the State borders. Reports said that more than 2,500 policemen are maintaining round-the-clock vigil to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.
The reports added that 15 senior officers have been tasked with contact tracing and a total of 1,776 policemen have been deployed in 182 duty posts across the State to maintain law and order.
