KASARGOD: Kasargod district collector’s order making mandatory Covid negative certificate or vaccination certificate for travelling in the district, has courted a controversy. There is public outcry that Collector Sajith Babu is implementing Tughlaq reform. MLA N A Nellikunnu lodged a complaint with the chief secretary describing the incident as irrational.

The collector, also the head of the district disaster management authority, said that a Covid negative certificate or vaccine certificate is mandatory for entering Kasargod, Kanhangad, Neeleswaram, Cheruvathur, Kumbala and Uppala. However, there are complaints that this 'reform' will affect the business community as a whole as it is Ramzan time. The trade associations said that Sajith Babu had not even heard their views before taking a decision.

Former DGP Jacob Punnoose mentioned Sajith Babu's order as useless. Punnoose opined that it would be foolish to issue such an order and denial of freedom of movement to the people was inhumane.

Meantime, the collector said the transmission of Covid in the district is severe and there are only 200 beds in four hospitals in the district. In this situation, he said the district administration has no other option but to take strict action.