Dimapur, April 16 (MExN): The Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) today wanted to know from the state government why a Bio Safety Level (BSL) -3 laboratory could not be established in Dimapur along with Kohima, despite receiving Rs.32641.66 lakh on April 3 as grant-in-aid from the Ministry of Finance.
“As funds were sufficiently allotted, judicious and equal allotment as per the population and proper preparedness to face any eventuality in these difficult times is the need of the hour,” the WSH stated in a press release.
“Dimapur, being a very densely populated district and of endemic zone, fits the prescription of BSL-3 Laboratory,” it said, adding that it raises the question among the people of Dimapur as to why the state government according priority only to Kohima.
“Reliable sources have revealed that some firms have offered to set up, train and man the BSL3 if given the opportunity,” it claimed.
Meanwhile, the WSH demanded to know whether protective gears such as ventilators, PPEs, hand sanitisers, test kits and N95 mask were properly distributed in all the districts.
“Mass testing should start immediately inorder to contain the pandemic before it becomes critical here in the state,” it noted, further reminding to all the state leaders to be fair, honest and efficient in the fight against the COVID-19.
The WSH also stressed that proper lodging should be provided for all frontline workers and quarantine centres should provided nutritious food to boost up the immunity of quarantined persons.
“The staffs of Zion Hospital Dimapur must be looked properly and given care as they are facing lots of hardship, abuse stigmatization from every corner,” it added.
Uphold freedom of Expression
Meanwhile, the WSH also opined that no curb on the freedom of expression “should be imposed on anyone by any high government officials as the Freedom of Expression is very much enshrined in the Article 19(A) of the Indian Constitution.”
It gives the right to express one’s opinion freely without any fear through oral, written, electronic, broadcasting or press, it noted.
In this connection, the WSH argued that “any sharing of concern for public enlightenment and common welfare should be encouraged and room for improvement be supported.” It further stated that the world has changed and unlike in the past, nothing can be hidden from the people and lauded the role of newspapers in “bringing out the truth to the people.”
“ This is not the time for top government officials to play a game of vendetta but learn and take corrective measures instead of imposing gagging orders on officers under him,” WSH asserted.
Eye opener for the govt
The WSH, meanwhile, said that the present COVID-19 case from Dimapur is an eye opener for the government to take corrective steps at the earliest.
“If the patient had not rushed to Guwahati for the treatment, then our doctors and nurses would have been in great danger due to the pathetic and ill preparedness of the COVID hospital,” it noted.
In this connection, the WSH urged every legislators to look beyond “their nose, go the extra mile and make sure all the hospital beds and equipments are ready and operational any moment as and when the situation demands.”
The WSH also raise a serious concern and demands the DC Dimapur Anoop Khinchi to withdraw the letter to the CMO on “training of teachers immediately” saying such activities “at this juncture is like inviting the virus instead of containing it.”
“Can the DC and the CMO provide all the trainee teachers with good quality PPEs?”
The WSH further said that it “would never object had it been in normal times but when even our frontline workers are ruing about low quality PPEs and unpreparedness despite the tall claims, we will not let our children to risk their lives and of others as many parents are deeply disturbed by this insensible order. “ It also urged rightful organisations such as ANSTA and heads of institutions to stand for the cause of the teachers at such times.
Meanwhile, stating that the people of border areas of Dimapur especially Bor-Lengri, Aghunaqa and Sughuna are facing immense hardship due to look of essential commodities as they are not allowed to enter inside Dimapur from the Assam side nor allowed to go towards Assam side due to lockdown, the WSH appealed the Special Committee to look into the problem.
The WSH lastly requested to all to be united and provide help to the government whenever needed in this crisis to overcome the pandemic.
