KTM -The Dhangadhi municipality in Siraha has gone into a week-long lockdown citing the growing risk of coronavirus. The death of a woman from the virus in neighbouring Golbazaar municipality and the rising COVID-19 cases in Lahan municipality has prompted the Dhangadhi municipality to come up with the lockdown order till August 16 beginning from today.

Municipality chief administrative officer Shibaraj Chaulagain said the risk of community spread of the virus could not be ruled out when the infection has seen in crowded areas like local markets and among the employees of private and government offices, and of bank and financial institutions.

All services except the most essential ones will remain closed during lockdown. As he said, markets, shops, hotels, private and government offices, banks and financial institutions will cease the service delivery till the lockdown. It may be noted that the Lahan, Golbazaar, Mirchaiya and Siraha municipalities have already decided to go for coronavirus lockdown till August 16.

Meanwhile, the Armed Police Force (APF) has arrested a person for possessing marijuana. The team from the APF base camp Mirchayia arrested 60-year-old Manai Mochi of Siraha municipality along with 3.4 kilos marijuana as he was about to transport it somewhere else by packing in a sack, APF Deputy Superintendent of Police Binod Thapa said.RSS