AYO visits quarantine centre in Zhadima village

AYO and NAYO officials along with ZVYSO and ZSU officials during the visit at the Zhadima Quarantine Centre on May 16.
 

Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 16

The Angami Youth Organization (AYO) headed by its president Kekhrie Pfukha visited the quarantine centre at Zhadima village under Kohima district and assessed the preparedness for COVID-19 on May 16.

The team was also accompanied by officials from the Northern Angami Youth Organization (NAYO).

During a brief interaction, Zhadima Village Youth & Sports Organization (ZVYSO) vice president Kekhrieseilie Khoubve informed that ZVYSO and Zhadima Students' Union (ZSU) put up a check gate at its entry point and has been maintaining records of vehicles crossing the village since March 26.

With over 400 non local migrant labourers who are engaged in government developmental activities such as road constructions, telecom services, power services within the village jurisdiction, Khoubve highlighted that it has become a concern especially with the relaxations of the inter-state movements.

In addition, ZVYSO president Vizosielie Khoubve highlighted how the Bokajan-Niuland-Zhadima-Kohima route, which receives attention only during the monsoon season, has become an "escape route" for most illegal activities/businesses as it is very close to Assam. With the inter-state movement, he suggested the need issue concrete regulations to control illegal activities along the route. AYO president Kekhrie Pfukha lauded the local community for its response towards fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and for maintaining a quarantine centre for stranded persons who will be returning to the state. Reiterating its stand, Pfukha said that AYO "totally discourage" the government's decision of to send returnees from green and orange zone for only three days of quarantine at the government designated facility.

"Irrespective of the zone, the returnees must be quarantined for 14 days," said Pfukha. He said that the NGOs must support the government in its activities but at the same time point the loopholes for corrective measures that needs to be taken. He also urged for the need to sensitize the community about the threat and consequences of the virus by engaging, educating and empowering them.

To protect the interest of the local community, he suggested that certain modifications of the government's guidelines can be made at grassroot level to benefit and protect the interest of the community. AYO vice president Neibu Sechu expressed how the pandemic has taken all by surprise. Saying that entry points are a concern, he suggested that the returnees must be carefully handled.

He also encouraged the local bodies to sensitize the stranded people outside the state about the government's assistance and coordinate with the COVID-19 task force in various cities to protect the interest of its members who are stranded outside the state.

The Zhadima Village community has an eight bedded arrangement--male and female wards at the quarantine centre.