Dimapur, May 20 (MExN): Naga Students’ Unions from across the country on Wednesday issued an ultimatum to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio demanding ‘immediate response’ and fulfillment of promises allegedly made to the stranded citizens from Nagaland by the state government.
In a press release, the All Cities COVID-19 Task Force for Nagaland- a collective of 19 NSUs spread across the country stated it had not received “even a single communiqué” from the state government following its appeal on May 14.
The Task Force, on May 14 had asked the State Government to address several issues regarding the well being of stranded Naga people such as arrangement for special trains, quarantining arrangements as well as a review of the criterion for ‘one-time financial assistance.’
Putting across the “unprecedented issues and challenges” faced by the stranded citizens, the Task Force stated that it has been “handling cases that range from landlords locking our people in their flats to ensure that they don’t go out due to nonpayment of rent, landlords turning off the water and electricity due to non-payment of rent and even cases where landlords are asking for sexual favors in return for staying in their rented apartment.”
In light of these challenges, it requested the state government to arrange transportation without any delay.
It also requested the state government to “provide a proper fixed date; pick up point and send the notification to all the respective DCs or DMs of the concern states.” It also stated that the notification should contain details of arrangement of vehicles to pick them up at the nearest point.
The Task Force requested the Government of Nagaland to establish communication with other state governments in order to “have an efficient and more organized evacuation of stranded desperate people.”
Meanwhile, it also questioned the state government as to why the COVID-19 helpline has been “referring calls back to the student leaders regarding transport arrangements when the student leaders are not given any transparency on any of the arrangements.”
For those who were unable to fill the forms of special package or the returnee declaration form due to various issues like non possession of smart phones, no access to internet, and receiving late information, it asked if alternate arrangements are being made for them.
Stating that it has been “working as frontliners for our stranded citizens outside Nagaland” leaving aside their own safety, the Task Force requested the government to speed up the process and provide proper information within two days.
