Tuensang greets Minister with biscuit 'shower'

•    Demands BSL-3, govt assures BSL-2
•    2 TrueNat Beta machines for Tsg

 

Morung Express News
Tuensang | May 28

A day after one of the returnees to Tuensang was declared COVID-19 positive, Nagaland Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom arrived in the district on May 28, only to be greeted by agitating citizens. The Minister’s entourage included IPR & SCERT Advisor Toshi Wungtung and Principal Director, Health & Family Wlefare, Dr Vizolie Suokhrie. 

Holding placards with demands for equal treatment and questions about the violation of safety norms, the agitators gathered outside the DC Complex in Tuensang in solidarity with the peaceful agitation called by the Tuensang public and spearheaded by the Confederation of Chang Students’ Union (CCSU).

CCSU President Chingmak Kumchuba briefed the gathering to maintain peace in the complex while the officials meet with the Minister and also instructed the agitators to maintain social distancing.

The Minister and his entourage was also met by the CCSU officials with biscuits, bottled water and disposable cups – a symbolic gesture in response to reports of the returnees being provided with only biscuit and water. 

 

A protestor holds a biscuit to greet a vehicle in the Health Minister's entourage in Tuensang on May 29. (Morung Photo)  

 

On their way out after the meeting, the Minister’s convoy of cars was further showered with biscuits by the agitators.  

It all started with the deportation of 168 returnees to Tuensang from Kohima on May 26 without confirming test results. While 17 of them de-boarded at Chare, the rest were quarantined at Sao Chang College Quarantine Centre. On May 27, one of the returnees was tested COVID-19 positive. On May 28, three more returnees were declared COVID-19 positive, sending the Tuensang public into a frenzy.

 

‘Communication gap risked many lives’
Speaking to The Morung Express, many of the agitators voiced their resentment on the recent turn of events.

“A lapse of SOP by the government has put the entire Tuensang population into panic and danger,” said one of the agitators at the venue.
M Y Chusa, a Tuensang resident added, “A senseless step has put all the citizens of Tuensang at risk and more so due to the poor medical facilities and equipments.” According to him, the returnees were happy to have reached home, but were made to face avoidable challenges, discrimination and ill-treatment. 

“When I heard that we have one confirmed case, it wasn’t something unexpected because sooner or later it was going to happen but later when I came to know that they sent all of them without proper medical norms and also before the results were out, it really hurt me (us) a lot,” commented another. 

 “At least they could have admitted their mistake rather than putting it on ‘Communication Gap’. Their small communication gap has risked so many lives in Tuensang,” said another of the agitators.

Later, in the emergency meeting held at the DC Conference Hall, Tuensang, the ENPO, CKS, YTC, USLP, COC, All wards Union Tuensang, Church Associations and Red Cross Society questioned the lapses of the government.

The step caused “colossal damage to the preventive measures done by the District Functionaries,” they maintained.

 

‘Let us now do the damage control’
CCSU officials met with Phom, Wuntung and Dr Suokhrie at the DC’s office. The union demanded immediate provision of TrueNat machines and installing BSL-3 lab in the district.

“We all are crying together,” the Minister told the CCSU officials, and said that they were in Tuensang to listen to their problems and grievances. “We understand your anger, but please be patient,” he appealed.

Meanwhile, DIPR reported that the Tuensang District Task Force also had an emergency with Phom, Wungtung and Dr Suokhrie at the DC’s Conference Hall, Tuensang. 

It was attended by the representatives of ENPO, CKS, YTC, USLP, COC, AWUTT, Church Associations and Red Cross Society, who demanded the construction of BSL-3 laboratory in Tuensang at the earliest and also highlighted the shortage of man power in the COVID hospital.

Wungtung while terming the turn of event as unfortunate, said, “We totally share your feelings and let us now do the damage control and we shall fight collaboratively.” 

The report stated that Minister Phom acknowledged the contribution of the Tuensang civil society and churches. “This is the time all stakeholders should come together for the common cause,” he added.

Replying to the grievances raised, Dr Suokhrie said that the government has decided to install BSL-2 laboratory at the earliest.

Two TrueNat Beta test machines, which can conduct up to 40 tests a day, will also be provided to the District Hospital Tuensang, the report added. He also informed the readiness of the government to issue jumbo oxygen cylinders, while adding that oxygen line and oxygen regeneration system are under process.

 

Contact tracing on
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant informed that the 3 inmates of Sao Chang College Quarantine Centre who were tested positive for COVID-19 on May 28 have been admitted at the District COVID-19 Hospital, Tuensang and contact tracing has been initiated.

The persons are asymptomatic and in a stable condition, the DC said.

Tuensang’s COVID-19 tally stands at 4 and more test results are awaited, according to the DC.