Calls grow stronger for lockdown in Nagaland

DIMAPUR, MAY 10 (MExN): The call for a lockdown in the State, or at least in the containment zones of Kohima and Dimapur, grew stronger today as the Kohima Village Council (KVC) and the Sumi Hoho voiced their concerns at the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Nagaland. 

KVC Chairman, Helievio Solo and General Secretary, Vizonyu Kelio issued a letter to the Convenor of the Kohima DTF, who is also the DC proposing an “immediate total lockdown” in Kohima and Dimapur. 

“We are well aware that, our government and all stakeholders in this pandemic are at a war footing, to contain this deadly disease. But to our total surprise and concern, the rate of increase of COVID positive cases in our State, especially Kohima and Dimapur is creeping up in the graph of the daily bulletin which is a very much a concern to everyone,” the KVC stated. 

“We also feel that immense community spreading is happening and random testing is proving us that, instead of the disease being contained, it is alarmingly increasing day by day,” it added.

The KVC stated that, in order to break the chain of transmission, the best remedy at this juncture is to go for immediate total lockdown and “confine the citizens to safety.” 

It asked the authorities to “ponder on this serious issue” and declare a “total lockdown in Kohima to save valuable life.” 

Meanwhile, the Sumi Hoho also wrote to the Nagaland Chief Minister calling for a “statewide lockdown” in order to break the chain of community spread of COVID-19. 

Sumi Hoho President, Hekhushe Shikhu and General Secretary, Nikheto Jimomi lauded the government machineries and all the frontline workers for their unceasing effort to contain spread of COVID-19 in the State. “However, it is observed that the COVID-19 positive cases and casualties are surging day by day and we cannot deny the fact that community spread is endangering the lives of the entire state,” it said. 

It therefore urged the Nagaland Government to immediately impose complete lockdown of the state for a period of at least ten days in order to break the chain of community spread.