30 Covid cases, locals block entry to five Himachal villages

Ravinder Sood
Palampur, May 29

Residents of Bara Gram panchayat in Chhota Bhangal of Kangra district have blocked the entry and exit points of five villages after over 30 persons tested Covid positive in adjoining Luhardi and Kothi Swar villages.

Bara Gram is situated 100 km away from Palampur. Chhota Bhangal is the worst hit by the pandemic where the positivity rate crossed 40 per cent last week with two deaths. A large number of Covid patients are in home isolation.

Forest Team sent back

A team of the Forest Department on inspection was sent back with a request to come again when the Covid pandemic gets over

As soon as the villagers of Bara Gram came to know about the rising number of cases in the adjoining villages, the panchayat, in a general house, passed a resolution and sealed all five villages under its jurisdiction and put up barriers. Volunteers have been deputed to keep a check on the visitors.

A report said last week no one was allowed to enter the village. A team of the Forest Department on inspection was also sent back with a request to come again when the pandemic gets over.

SDM, Palampur, Dharmesh Ramotra said Chhota Bhangal had been hit hard in the second wave of the pandemic.

He added that he had visited the villages last week and advised the villagers to follow Covid protocols. He also distributed medicines to the affected persons. He appreciated the villagers for banning the entry of outsiders.

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