Pangsau Pass market in Arunachal temporarily shut down over Coronavirus scare

Authorities in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh on Monday temporarily shut down Pangsau Pass market, along India-Myanmar border, in wake of growing Coronavirus threat.

Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,080-km-long border with China, where vel coronavirus (nCOV) outbreak has so far claimed over 300 lives. Myanmar-China boundary spans 2204 km.

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A district-level meeting in Nampong, chaired by sub divisional officer Ibom Tao, decided to "suspend all operations at border haat" till March 21 to prevent possible spread of respiratory illness, an official said.

Traders from Nampong area in district, along with those from neighbouring country, sell goods at Pangsau Pass border haat, which functions on 10th, 20th and 30th of every month. Pangsau Pass, cutting across mountain ranges, connects Nampong with Kachin state of Myanmar.

"All gaon burahs and panchayat interim committee members of Nampong and nearby Tikhak Rima Putok have been asked to create awareness among locals and restrict movement to Myanmar side for time being," official said. administration has also asked its counterpart in neighbouring country to take similar measures, he added.

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