PM’s call for ‘Janata Curfew’ evokes massive response in Bhojpur

Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Ara : PM Narendra Modi’s call for observance of 14-hour ‘Janata Curfew’ across the country on March 22, 2020, as an exercise in social distancing to combat COVID-19 menace evoked massive response from the people in Bhojpur district in Bihar with the entire district wearing a deserted look. The ‘Janata Curfew’ was spontaneous with people staying at their houses.

Alhough the state government has already closed schools, colleges, university, Malls, hotels, park, cinema halls and banned meetings of any kind, small shop, petrol pump owners, and tea-stall owners also remained closed on the day since  early morning. Number of morning walkers was also thin. Ara, Koelwar, Bihia, Kulharia and other railway stations under Danapur Division of East Central Railway (ECR), Hajipur, and all the bus stands in Bhojpur district also wore deserted look. All types of vehicles were off the road.

Bhojpur DM has ordered to close all the restaurants and hotels till March 31, 2020, except home delivery. On the direction of DM, the Civil Surgeon deputed more than 40 doctors at HNK High School which has been made Quarantine Centre where the passengers from outside Bihar will be examined. On March 22,  as the 01101 Pune Special from Mumbai and 01499 Mumbai Special train, 122948 Surat Bhagalpur Superfast Express, 12402 Magadh Express reached Ara railway station, the passengers of all the trains getting down at Ara railway station were transported in ambulances and school buses to the HNK High School where a team of doctors examined them. Bhojpur DM Roushan Kushwaha and SP Sushil Kumar along with senior officials of the district are  monitoring the whole exercise.

The DM directed Ara SDO to earmark two hotels to be made Quarantine centre so that any foreigner or visitor may be kept there if needed. The DM said that if any passenger is found infected with corona virus, a stamp would be put on his or her hand and added data base of every passenger getting down at Ara is being prepared. The people have appreciated the initiative of the Prime Minister and said that it would prove a milestone in fighting the COVID-19.