JD(U) doubts Nagaland’s preparedness to battle Covid-19

Dimapur, March 27 (EMN): The Janata Dal (U) Nagaland unit on Friday stated that Nagaland appears to be one of the most unprepared states in the country to battle the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

While appreciating the health workers who are constantly working strenuously against the challenges posed by the Covid-19, the party, in a press communiqué, lamented the alleged acute shortage of basic gear such as hand sanitiser and medical masks in the state. It said that several countries and states had started taking preventive measures like procurement of protective equipment and medical requirements in February after the outbreak of the virus was reported in Wuhan, China in late December 2019.

The JD(U) has also highlighted the plight of the Naga daily wage-workers who have been affected by the lockdown the most.

“While several states have already announced free ration for three months especially for the BPL (below the poverty line), financial package through direct bank transfer to daily wage-earners and other remedial measures such as availability of free masks and sanitizers and provisions for free food by organising shelter homes for the downtrodden, the Nagaland government is yet to take a call on these critical and humanitarian issues,” the press communiqué read. It also appealed to the PDA government to address the plight of the daily wage earners from the state.

The party stated that prompt action taken up by various ward councils and village authorities to contain the spread of the Covid-19 was inspiring and felt that such alertness should be continued till the situation is back to normalcy. It also appealed to all the concerned citizens to follow the advisories in the battle against the crisis and be vigilant against rumour- mongers.