NONGPOH: Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun on Saturday said the COVID-19 situation in his constituency was going from bad to worse and as their representative it was his bounden duty to try and protect the people.
“I understand that my people are facing lots of difficulties and hardships during the pandemic, but I have urged them not to panic and, instead, cooperate with the government and adhere to all the protocols and guidelines to keep the dreaded disease away”, Sohtun told The Shillong Times.
It may be mentioned that Jirang constituency in Ri Bhoi district, which is in close proximity to neighbouring Assam where the pandemic is raging, has the maximum number of positive cases reported in the district.
The Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi district on Saturday declared several areas hugging the interstate border as containment zone to contain and arrest the spread of the virus. As per reports, the district has 35 positive cases, including four reported on Saturday.
Sohtun said that during the past few days, all the affected villages, including Byrnihat area, Baridua, 13th Mile, Khanapara, Killing, Umtyrnga, Tamulkuchi and others, were sprayed with disinfectants to try and contain and stop the spread of the virus. He himself has been visiting the affected villages.
Earlier, parts of Jirang area were disinfected at the inititative of Sohtun, which included the Patharkhmah PHC and several other villages, which are vulnerable.
Sohtun said he apprehended possibility of community spread of the virus in his constituency and urged the people to be on guard.
Sohtun also thanked the frontline health workers of the state, especially those posted at the Screening Centre at 13th Mile Byrnihat for their selfless service and also the communities under the leadership of their respective headmen for extending hand to the government.
