DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS, Government of Mizoram, India

As a precautionary measure against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Lawngtlai District Magistrate & Deputy Commissioner Pi Shashanka Ala, IAS issued an order prohibiting movements across the international border in Lawngtlai District on 12th March, following Government of Mizoram letter No. F. 25016/1/2018 dt. 11.03.2020. A meeting in connection with enforcement of this order was held at the DC Conference Hall right after the order was issued.

The order, issued under section 144 of CrPC 1973, directed closing of borders of Lawngtlai District with Myanmar at Zochachhuah, Laitlang, Archhuang, Saisihchhuah and Hruitezawl, and with Bangladesh at Parva, prohibiting entry and exit across the said borders.

If there is any violation, the offenders may be punished with one month imprisonment and a fine of ₹ 200/- under section 188 of IPC. If such violation results in any threat to life, health and security of any citizen, the punishment may be extended upto one year imprisonment and a fine of ₹ 1,000/-.

This order shall remain in force for two months from the date of issue.

The meeting comprising authorities from district administration, police force, representatives of NGOs and MJAs resolved to put 4 police personnel each for duty in the said border villages with the help of Young Lai Association and village council of the concerned villages. In this regard, additional police force were being called from Lunglei.

Medical teams have already been placed at Archhuang, Zochachhuah and Saisihchhuah to screen for COVID-19. An isolation ward has also been designated in the District Hospital Lawngtlai and awareness drives are being carried out in the border villages.

All these arrangements were only precautionary measures and the District authorities asked the people to obey government directions and not to panic pointlessly. Even though the international borders are being closed, transportation of essential commodities has not been restricted, so there's no need for panic buy, they said and urged the shopkeepers not to raise price.

The District Administration also issued an advisory that public gathering may be avoided as far as possible.

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