TAWANG, Jul 31: In view of recent finding of few COVID-19 positive cases among the Army and GREF personnel in the district, Tawang MLA Tsering Tashi called for a united fight against the virus to contain it from being spread further.

“Since many of the villagers work under GREF as labourers and we are interdependent, we live as a family with Army and all other forces stationed here in Tawang, it is very important for all of us to work together to fight this virus,” he said while addressing a coordination meeting with officers from Indian Army, SSB, ITBP, SIB, SB & GREF, public leaders from Jang and student union leaders at the conference hall of DC office here today.

“It becomes serious matter of concern for all of us, if a single member of any organization is infected with this virus. It is important for all of us to follow the SOPs issued by Govt from time to time to contain this virus,” stated Tashi, who himself got tested for COVID-19 after coming from Itanagar and after confirmation of negative result only he made his appearance in public.

He further said, we have been very strict with following of laid down SOPs in dealing with civil returnees, due to which there was only one positive case amongst returnees. Now, we all have to be very serious and alert. He put his request to Army, paramilitary forces and GREF to strictly adhere to SOP issued by Govt to check possibility of COVID-19 outbreak, and plan a strategy to contain the pandemic.

The MLA requested the GREF authority not to curtail the wages of those labourers who have been home quarantined by administration due to their coming in contact with the positive cases.

DC Sang Phuntsok highlighted the new SOP issued by Govt, besides reading out the memorandum submitted by villagers of Jang showing their serious concern for finding of COVID-19 positive cases in GREF camp at Jang where many of the locals are engaged as labourers. However, in the tests made till so far maximum of the local labourers’ test result came negative.

During open discussion, senior public representatives from Jang village, ADC Jang, SDMO Jang, student leaders placed their opinions and requested the various central paramilitary forces and GREF to follow SOP and share any information related to returnees and symptomatic development in any of their personnel, so that any kind of infection can be contained from further spreading.

The DC in his concluding remarks said that self retrospection is very important; we have to learn from our faults and bring necessary corrective measures. He specially thanked the villagers of Jang for being in the forefront from day one and their contribution in erecting check gate at PoE (point of entry) to providing free food for drivers during the lockdown period. (DIPRO)