Daijiworld Media Network - Panjim (SS)

Panjim, Apr 22: The Goa state government has sealed its borders and imposed ban of interstate public movement, excluding the transportation of essential goods. Despite this, people have been observed trying to enter the state using internal roads and routes through the jungle.

Videos of people attempting to enter the state through short cuts went viral on social media. Those in the video claimed that despite having travel passes, the authorities were not permitting them to enter the state. They also claimed to be coming for work.

The state police shall block these routes at once; people can also inform us if they happen to notice people entering the state illegally. Factories also have been voluntarily informing the police if workers have crossed from other states, said Jaspal Singh, inspector general of police. He added that people have not been entering Goa in search of work.

The police have launched an inquiry into the videos.

The government of the state sealed eight entry points into the state before the Janata Curfew on March 22. Inspection at the borders are being conducted by teams of police and health officials, who check if the vehicles are carrying essential commodities. The drivers are further tested with thermal guns, and then permitted to enter.

The State Executive Committee (SEC) claimed that five people had entered the state from Karwar, Karnataka illegally with the help of nine fishermen/boat owners. They are currently in paid quarantine and will soon undergo the required tests for COVID-19.

While the licenses of the fishermen/boat owners will be cancelled in accordance with the law, FIRs have been registered and legal action shall be taken against all involved.

Singh, along with the North Goa SP and SDPO of Bicholim on Saturday, visited the border checkposts and instructed the staff to make sure only vehicles from the permitted categories enter the state.