Nagaland wore a deserted look on Saturday as the state went into a week-long total lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The lockdown, which began on Friday evening, will continue till May 21. Police personnel, as well as other law-enforcing personnel of the districts, were deployed at strategic locations to check unnecessary movement of people, and thwart any untoward law and order situations, officials said.
Colony and ward volunteers were seen putting up barricades to restrict the entry of outsiders. The volunteers also put up banners with messages for strictly following COVID-appropriate behaviour, especially wearing face masks at all times.
Except for essential services, all other activities, including the movement of people, have been restricted. The police were seen stopping vehicles in certain areas, seeking to know the purpose of their travel, and only those who had valid reasons were allowed to continue.
Grocery stores and those selling essential commodities were open from 6 am to 12 pm, except for Kohima. In the state capital, such shops will be allowed to open on May 17, May 19 and May 21. The Kohima Police said that unlike the previous lockdowns, this time people have been very cooperative and supportive.