Dimapur-based Christian forum launches Covid-19 campaign

Dimapur, May 15 (EMN): Christian Forum Dimapur (CFD) launched the Covid-19 campaign on May 15 at Bishop’s House, Dimapur, on the theme ‘Protect yourself to prevent others.’ During the campaign, CFD would create awareness, distribute 50,000 masks to the frontline workers and the needy and also give out Covid-19 car stickers.

APC and in-charge of Covid-19 for Dimapur Y Kikheto Sema; Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, Anoop Khinchi; Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo; and CMO Dimapur Dr. Tiasunep Pongener were present at the programme, a DIPR report stated.

To carry the campaign forward, Kikheto officially launched the Covid-19 stickers and 50,000 masks to be distributed among the frontline workers and the poor and needy. He appealed to the church leaders to help the government use the church infrastructure especially the church rest houses for accommodating the people after arrival from various states of India.

Sema hinted that government might request the churches to take responsibility of accommodating their members where the government would assist in providing food and other necessities.

He also lauded the private schools and colleges at Dimapur for coming forward to help the government with their hostels. Sema also lauded the non-Nagas (Marwaris Jain, Agarwals and other Samaj) for helping their communities in accommodation, food and all other necessities.

Khinchi re-iterated on the importance of washing hands, wearing masks, maintaining social distance saying those three steps as the golden rule to keep away the virus.

“If we follow these rules sincerely there will be no issues and we will be in the right track,” Khinchi maintained. He assured that everything would be fine if people are discipline.

He has appreciated the CP Dimapur for successfully implementing the odd and even traffic regulation and remarked that traffic at Dimapur has been controlled to a large extent. He also lauded the medical department, Empowered Committee led by Sema, CFD, student unions, NGOs and all stakeholders are working jointly as a team.

Also speaking on the occasion, Tetseo emphasised on the important role of religious institutions in educating the people not to panic and to offer healing touch and prayer support at this critical juncture. As many people would be arriving without proper food, depressed and worn-out, he stated that spiritual healing through the church would ease their emotional stress to some extent.

On burial of Covid-19 patients, Tetseo hinted that religious institutions/ churches should be ready and prepared to even carry dead body if situation arises adding that would be a real challenge for the church.

Dr. Tiasunep reminded that the only defence against the coronavirus would be to follow the three rules of wearing masks, hand hygiene and social distancing. He appealed to every community to educate their people on those rules.

Stating that most of the medical staff are already exhausted working day and night for the past 2 to 3 months, he appealed to the forum to pray for them.

Stating “our fight is against an unseen virus,” CFD chairman Rev. Moses Murry exhorted the members to fight with faith in God along with the available human resources. Expressing concern on the increasing number of Covid-19 positive cases in Assam, he appealed to the authority for proper and stringent checking/ manning of the borders.

It may be mentioned that diocese of Kohima through its Bishop James Thoppil has donated 25000 masks towards the campaign.