Vehicles wait at a traffic stop in Dimapur. With the announcement of the first phase of unlock from July 1 to 10, the commercial hub of the State has witnessed increased activity over the past few days. The State government on Thursday announced Unlock 2.0 from July 11 to 17 with further relaxations. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | July 8
The High Power Committee (HPC) on COVID-19 has decided to begin Unlock 2.0 in Nagaland from July 11 to 17 with further relaxations.
State Spokesperson on COVID-19, Mmhonlumo Kikon informed of the decision on Thursday, stating that the second phase of unlock in the State will be for seven days, starting from July 11.
New Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the second unlock phase in Nagaland will also be released, and as per the information, District Task Forces are to issue the revised SOPs which will be made available on all platforms.
Further, as part of unlock 2.0, selected train services will reportedly also be allowed to operate.
After reviewing the situation across the State, the HPC in its meeting held on July 8, decided to begin ‘unlock 2’ or ‘way forward’ from July 11 to 17 with further relaxations.
The HPC also reviewed Nagaland’s preparation for the next wave of COVID-19 in the State.
Speaking to some section of media personnel, Minister and HPC member, Neiba Kronu said it has reviewed the whole situation following the briefing by the State health department on the status of the COVID-19 situation.
“HPC has decided to relax some of the activities, but we have decided to go for another ‘way forward or unlock 2’ for another week,” said Kronu.
Curfew, he informed, will remain as it while shopping period will be relaxed and extended by another two hours from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Minister also said inter-district restrictions will continue as before, while outdoor activities will be relaxed to 100%, indoor to 50% and restaurants would be allowed to open for takeaways during the week.
Kronu informed that trains services will be allowed if the passengers have negative COVID-19 test report or are willing to go for immediate test.
Although vaccination drive is improving in the State with 13,000 doses per day, Kronu maintained that vaccination drive has to be intensified for which the health department has been directed to carry out the same on a massive scale at all levels.
He informed that the HPC will be reviewing the situation after a week and expressed optimism that things would improve.
Core Committee on Naga
Political Issue meet today
On the Core Committee of the Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue meeting scheduled to be held on July 9 at Chümoukedima, Minister and HPC member, Neiba Kronu said there is no specific agenda but discussion on the Naga political issue will be held.
21 members will reportedly be in attendance at the meeting.
When enquired on the necessity of forming another committee and also the Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) withdrawal from the Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF), the Minister said, “We are coming together with a new nomenclature-Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political issue including both MPs, and everyone has to be sincere.”
He also explained that it was necessary to filter out and form a Core Committee because, “When we try to meet union ministers or the Prime Minister, they do not entertain everyone.”
Hence, he said the members from Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political have been minimized to a ‘core committee’ who can meet the government of India representatives. “We will meet tomorrow and decide something,” he said without adding further details.
A notification by the Home Department, Political branch dated June 16 stated, “The Parliamentary Committee will discuss matters relating to the Naga political issue and play the role of facilitator in the ongoing peace talks between the Government of India and the Naga political groups.”
