ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Jul 14: The state government's decision to convert the newly constructed MLA apartments at Chimpu into a makeshift COVID-19 hospital has met with stiff resistance from locals on Tuesday.
Earlier in the morning, the Health Minister, Alo Libang accompanied by Director, TRIHMS, M.Jini, Health Secretary, P Prathiban, and other officials from the health department inspected the infrastructure.
However the move hasn't gone down well with residents of Chimpu as soon after the news went viral, the locals gathered near the main gate of the MLA Apartments to oppose the state government's plan to convert the facility into Covid-19 hospital.
Residents of the area said they oppose the conversion of the facility as it lies in the center of a thickly populated area.
"The decision to convert the entire MLA apartment is definitely a disastrous move as accommodating covid positive people would put residents of Chimpu at an increased risk of contracting the virus," Techi Doni, a resident pointed out.
He revealed that even the facility's boundary wall is closely attached to residential buildings, and the infrastructure is located on the main access road to Chimpu and its adjoining areas.
He demanded the state government to reconsider its decision to convert the building and establish a Covid care facility elsewhere far away from residential areas or where there sparse population.
Another resident suggested that the state government could also set up such a facility at Yupia Stadium or convert  Himalayan University which is closed now for academic classes or any other places located on the outskirts of the main city.
"The area has a population of over 7,000 people and establishment of such facility may lead to the spread of the virus in the neighborhood,"  he added.
The residents also raised slogans opposing the decision and threatened to intensify their movement if the government failed to withdraw the decision immediately.
The residents later also set up barricades on the road leading to the MLA Apartment.
However, the protest which was soon broadcasted in digital media platforms was severely criticized by netizens.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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