New in NE | An internet shutdown, a curfew, a walkathon, and a police uniform courtesy (HT)

 While the country is battling a surge in Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant, the district administration in Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar clamped a 48-hour internet shutdown between January 12 and 14 in response to a 36-hour strike called by a youth association seeking Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s resignation over alleged corruption charges.

Last month, ANYA, which is the premier youth association of the Nyishi tribe, labelled corruption charges against Khandu and asked him to respond within 15 days. On December 30, the association demanded Khandu’s resignation within seven days for failing to respond to the charges. On January 10, ANYA announced a decision to call a 36-hour strike demanding his resignation.

Stating that the strike was illegal on the basis of a Supreme Court order, Talo Potom, district magistrate of Itanagar, directed BSNL and all other private internet service providers to suspend mobile internet and wi-fi services within the capital region. As a preventive measure, 100 young people were detained and nearly two dozen ANYA members booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2014.

The call to strike during the pandemic and the internet shutdown that affected normal life, including online classes of students, were condemned in equal measure. Last heard, undeterred by the government’s action, ANYA is planning to announce another shutdown.

From Saturday, Assam imposed severe restrictions against all eligible persons who are yet to get both doses of the Covid-9 vaccine. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the move was necessitated to coerce all those who have taken the first dose, but are yet to get their second jab.

The state has nearly 5.5 million people who are yet to take their second doses. From Saturday, only those persons who are double-vaccinated would be allowed entry into hotels, government and private offices, restaurants and business premises.

Except for hospitals, one will have to be fully vaccinated to visit any public place. Government employees who have not got both doses of vaccine won’t be allowed entry to offices. At first, their absence would be adjusted with their due leaves, and once that gets over, they won’t get a salary for the days they are absent from duty.

If unvaccinated persons enter a public place, the owner of the premises would have to pay a fine of ₹25,000. The fine would be less for small establishments and in government offices, the person-in-charge would be held responsible. From January 15, only double-vaccinated persons would be allowed to use public or private vehicles.

The announcement was welcomed by all sections, but its implementation could pose a problem. While many establishments including malls and offices started implementing the directives, public transport vehicles were seen flouting it and allowing unvaccinated or partially vaccinated passengers to travel.