In view of the ongoing fight against novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the 5,500 km-long international borders in the Northeastern region has been effectively closed to enforce the ongoing 21-day countrywide lockdown.

The Northeastern States of Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura share their borders with China, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan.

Assam shares 2,743 km inter-state boundaries with Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya and West Bengal.

These States have been given Rs 25 crore to fight the coronavirus crisis effectively. The number of positive cases has reached 28 in the region so far.

This fund would be in the nature of the untied fund, which can be utilized on any activity relating to COVID-19 Pandemic, and not covered under existing central packages.

During a video conference with officials of the Ministry of the Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), North Eastern Council (NEC) and others, Union Minister Jitender Singh was informed that the lockdown is being effectively enforced in the entire Northeastern region.

Of the 28 positive coronavirus cases in Northeastern states, the majority of the patients took part in the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi.

The DoNER Ministry has also sought projects for strengthening of health infrastructure in the Northeastern States under its flagship programme North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme. The states have been asked to submit their proposals by April 6th, 2020.

“The projects in the health sector would be sanctioned on top priority. The NEC has already sanctioned Rs 25 crore to Northeastern states for gap funding to fight the COVID-19 outbreak. effectively,” officials of DoNER said.

Photo credit: India TV (Representational image)