Citizens have their say on two divergent roads taken

Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 18 (EMN): Ever since restrictions on inter-state movement were lifted, scores of stranded Nagas have been evacuated from different parts of the country.

Eastern Mirror reached out to some of the citizens in Nagaland as well as outside the state to ask their views and opinions on whether stranded Naga citizens should be allowed to return, in view of the spike in the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in neighbouring states.

Kezhazer Whourie, a social activist residing in Nagaland, stated that the stranded people should not be stopped from returning home no matter what the status of coronavirus at their respective places.

“We are hesitant to welcome them home because of our lack of preparedness and poor sense of following the preventive protocols,” he said.

Whourie shared that “they should be welcomed back but should be subjected to quarantine as per norms and practice”.

According to Krodi Kennao, a citizen in Nagaland, the stranded Naga citizens should be allowed to return home in spite of the situation. “I am sure they are facing worse outside our state in the form of discrimination and harassment,” he said.

On returning to the state, ‘they must and should adhere to the government allotted quarantine centres and home quarantine specified by the MHA,’ Kennao shared.

“Our state won’t be in a position to handle thousands of stranded people/citizens, so also any other state(s) in India. But we must set priority for these people; the NGOs and organisations will definitely come to help,” he said adding.

Akumsen Kichu, who is currently pursuing her Ph.D in Sociology in Chennai, stated that arrangements should be made for the returnees at the earliest.

“Undoubtedly, accepting returnees will cause more tension to the state and not denying the fact that it’s a risky step, yet only if the system functions properly, then it’s possible,” she said.

She cited the example of Kerala, saying that the state is now flattening its scale of cases. “It’s not the epidemic that’s the only issue but even the loopholes in the systems are boosting the issue,” said the sociologist.

When asked if government should assist the stranded people for their continued stay outside, Kichu shared that many Nagas who work daily to provide for themselves and their families during the lockdown are struggling without payments.

“Many are breaking down emotionally, mentally, financially and physically without proper food and shelter and I believe government’s assistance will make a great impact in the lives of these people,” said Kichu.

“As a matter of fact, Nagas residing outside are mostly living there out of compulsion and with no opportunity within the state. And even for the students with limited institutions, they are left with no choice,” she added.

Erenbeni Jami, a restaurateur in Tamil Nadu, shared that “it is not safe but risky to travel in this situation”.

She also expressed concern about the possibility of endangering the whole population in the event of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Nagaland.

Naro Jamir, a travel agent in Delhi, said that people should remain wherever they are now with government “providing necessary steps and help”.

“Better to stay wherever we are, it’s for the safety of our Naga people,” she said.