Bhojpur District Administration Implements Lockdown

Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Ara : On the direction of Commissioner, Patna Division, to implement the State Government’s lockdown order and take legal action against violators,  Bhojpur district administration has sealed Ara railway station under Danapur Division of East Central Railway (ECR), Hajipur, and bus stands. Teams of officials and volunteers of the district administration are making people aware of the threat posed by COVID-19 pandemic and appealing them to stay at home not to mix with people. Bhojpur DM Roushan Kushwaha and SP Sushil Kumar are themselves patrolling in different areas to implement the lockdown.

Divisional Commissioner, Patna,  in his order, said that auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, buses will not ply on road till March 31, 2020, and asked the district administration to prevent crowding, close all the shops, and stop plying of all types of vehicles. Some emergency services including media have been kept out of the purview of this ban.

Amir Subhani, Additional Chief Secretary, General Administration Department, on March 22, 2020, asked all the DMs to implement the lockdown under their respective jurisdiction and confine people coming from other states or districts at different schools.

In light of aforesaid orders and directions, Ara Sadar SDO Arun Prakash locked down the entire Ara town and orderedtraders  to close all shops and banned plying of all types of vehicles on road. The DM issued order for closure of  all the restaurants, hotels except home delivery, banquet halls, stand-alone-banquet halls, betel shops, tea stalls, road side eateries, food stalls till March 31, 2020. The Government has already closed all schools, colleges, universities, cinema halls in view of  COVID-19.

Bhojpur DM Roushan Kushwaha held a meeting with the members of Bhojpur Chamber of Commerce and Industries and directed them to ensure sufficient availability of foodgrains and also directed all the members to submit report in this regard within 24 hours. He also warned against hoarding of essential items. He appealed the consumers to buy only what they needed. He ordered the SDOs to fix rates of fruits, vegetables etc. and if anyone is found selling these items exceeding the fixed prices, legal action will be taken against them.