By Debananda Medak

GUWAHATI: Taking cognizance of the rapidly spreading Covid-19 positive cases in the Northeast’s Arunachal Pradesh, 45 gaon Buras as well as Buris (village heads) of the state’s Ziro valley in Lower Subansiri district turned crusaders to safeguard the villagers from the pandemic.

Dwbo Gaon Bura Buri Association convener Yachang Tacho said, “Realising that certain youths of the valley have been violating the management protocols of the pandemic, we have launched extensive information, education and communication (IEC) campaign on the pandemic coronavirus. The objective is to reach every household and villages of the valley, categorically to the youths. The Gaon Buras and Buris are the best institutions to reach at the household level in the grassroots.”

Dwbo Gaon Bura Buri Association is the body of the village heads.   

Tacho said, “The elders are already at home. However, the youths are often seen roaming around without maintaining social distance and without wearing facial masks. Therefore, we the Gaon Buras and Buris, burdening the responsibility as a father, guardian and heads of the villages, stood up to impart awareness on the danger of the pandemic through this campaign.”

According to Tacho, the campaign was officially launched on July 17 by Lower Subansiri district deputy commissioner Swetika Sachan at her officer chamber located at Ziro.  

“Since it’s launching the campaign has been intensified in collaboration with the department of information and public relation (IPR), Lower Subansiri,” he said.  

He also highlighted that the Gaon Buras and Buriscontributed from their meagre honorarium and raised funds to execute the campaign. “To strengthen the campaign, the department of IPR also extended financial help,” Tacho further said.   

Notably, three major villages of the Apatanis – Bamin Michi, Mudang Tage and Dutta fall under the Dwbo, a region of the settlement of the Apatani community. These three major villages, however, are subdivided in numerous villages that are being administered by 45 Gaon Buras and Buris.     

“The campaign was designed to execute involving the village heads with their uniforms. The idea was to showcase local sentiment an emotions while extending awareness on the pandemic,” the convener added.

So far, the district administration has recorded 14 Covid-19 positive cases in the Lower Subansiri district, including the Ziro valley.