Dimapur, May 22 (MExN): The Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF) on Friday spoke out against the state government’s response towards citizens stranded outside the state, terming it as “far beyond satisfactory.”
In a press release issued on May 22, NGBF President Shalem Konyak and General Secretary Shikuto Zalipu cited reports that “the website created especially for stranded people is not functioning properly and for that matter, many students are unaware of our government’s programs and initiatives.” Some of the students who have opted to stay back and are entitled for Rs 10,000 are also not getting the financial aid, it said, while appealing the state government to “disclose all the list of stranded students in regard to the payment made to them.”
It said that many stranded citizens have decided to stay back in order to avoid spreading the virus inadvertently and as such appealed the government to take proper care of those “who are staying back for the sake of our wellbeing.” It also cited various complaints on the social media platforms where stranded citizens were reportedly being harassed and abused by their landlords, shopkeepers and passers-by.
Further, the NGBF questioned the delay in installation of the virology lab in Dimapur. It reasoned that Dimapur being “the gateway to the cities and the mainland,… is more vulnerable,” and urged the government to speed up the installation of the BSL-2 lab.
The federation also urged the state government to be transparent to the public with regard to the transaction and utilization of money sanctioned by the central government for COVID-19 response.
