Guwahati: Owing to the continuing rise of COVID-19 cases in Nagaland, the State Government Thursday banned the entry of security forces personnel into the State from outside till September of this year.
This decision has been taken because of the skyrocketing number of COVID-19 positive cases among the armed forces personnel in the state. The armed forces personnel – whose movements appear not to be regulated – account for over 40% of the cases in the Northeast Indian state.
As on Thursday, out of the 2580 COVID-19 positive cases in Nagaland, 1,117 cases are from the paramilitary/military, 1,048 cases from returnees; 182 cases from frontline workers; 180 cases are of traced contacts and 53 cases are others.
Thus, due to the steady and alarming rise in the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the state, the military forces in the state have decided to reschedule the induction of personnel from other states. This informed state principal home secretary, Abhijit Sinha in his daily briefing on Thursday, August 7.
It needs mention here that all the COVID-19 positive cases are being treated at their respective unit hospitals.
The Inspector-General of Assam Rifles (North), BSF and CRPF had earlier conveyed their decision to regulate the movement of their troops to the State Government.
Meghalaya has already regulated the movement of security personnel, while Mizoram has already banned the movement of troops.
In several of the Northeast Indian states, COVID-19 clusters have been located in army camps. In Meghalaya, the dramatic rise in the number of COVID-19 cases among the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel compelled the East Khasi Hills district administration to declare the entire Frontier Headquarters Border Security Force (BSF) campus at Umpling in Shillong as a Containment Zone.