DIMAPUR, APRIL 20 (MExN): The Konyak Union today expressed resentment at the “lackadaisical attitude by the state government in addressing issues in regard to the present crisis prevailing due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
A press release from the KU appreciated the Ministers in charge of Mon district, Paiwang Konyak for shouldering the responsibilities of convening a joint co-ordination meeting of the district task force for firsthand information of the existing capacities and shortfalls, and endorsing cooperation among district administration, police, health department, church and civil societies.
However, it expressed dismay over the findings observed during the consultation and inspection undertaken with different government agencies. It pointed to certain key issues of concern.
‘PPEs of sub standard quality’
The KU said that the consignments that arrived at District Hospital Mon especially PPEs is of “sub-standard” quality “which is why the practitioners and workers are reluctant to use.” As per the Nagaland Public Health Infrastructure statistics (The Morung Express April 19), Mon district has 4 ventilators and 2,020 N-95 masks. However, the KU stated that only 1 ventilator and zero N-95 mask was received till date.
“Moreover, inspite of repeated appeal to the government to procure an ambulance, it has been in vain. An emergency ambulance which was delivered for Mon to tackle the present situation was ordered by the higher authority to be return back to Kohima,” the KU stated
Since Mon district does not have any ambulance at this present juncture, the union demanded that the department immediately dispatch an ambulance for Mon district.
Education
Since the school institutions are closed till further notice, the KU said that the academic careers of the students living idle in almost all the corners of the region especially government institutions are in jeopardy.
It therefore asked the Nagaland Government to come up with an innovative step in directing the concerned department to impart lessons through alternative ways so as to keep in touch with the syllabus.
Local Security:
Meanwhile, in view of the Village Guard/local security restricting entrance to its villages, the KU directed all villages adjacent to the state highway/NH to restrain from erecting barriers/gates on the main road, blocking the supply of essential commodities to other towns/villages.
It also appealed to the Village Guard Department, that considering the geographical location of Eastern Nagaland with international borders, additional funding, supply of basic amenities should be focused on priority for the VGs manning the borders.
Essential commodities
As part of preventive measures, the supply of essential commodities imported to Mon district, the goods carrier coming from Assam are being unloaded in Border area (Namsa) and re-transported to Mon after disinfection.
However, the KU directed the Mon Chamber of Commerce that the vehicles after disinfection at the border gate should continue without any unloading in the said area to ease the problems faced by the consumers and as well as suppliers.
Sealing of Assam-Nagaland border
Taking into consideration the second phase of lockdown, the union appealed to the law enforcing authority to compulsorily seal all the border entry points strictly especially Assam-Nagaland border.
It added that minor routes (short cuts) which are not accessible by vehicles should also be monitored. The union directed all the respective KU branches/students bodies to cooperate fully.
Assistant towards stranded people/students outside the state:
It meanwhile asked the State Government to provide basic necessities and help to those students from Nagaland who have been stranded outside the State.
