Konyak Union raises several issues before state government

Dimapur, April 20 (EMN): The Konyak Union (KU) has expressed utter resentment over what it described as “lackadaisical attitude” of the state government in addressing the crisis arising out of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a press statement issued on Monday through its media cell, the union stated that it had written to the chief minister of the state to intervene and address its grievances considering the possible impact and repercussions it could have and to “prevent major catastrophe” as Mon district shares boundary with Assam.

The union, however acknowledged the concern and commitment shown by Transport minister Paiwang Konyak and advisor of Fire and Emergency Services Pohwang Konyak, who are also in-charge of Mon district for Covid-19, for “shouldering the responsibilities for convening a joint co-ordination meeting of the district task force on 15th April 2020 at Mon for first hand information of the existing capacities and shortfalls, and endorsing co-operation among district administration, police, health department, church and civil societies”.

In the meantime, the Konyak frontal organisation said that it was dismayed at the findings during the consultation and inspection undertaken with different government agencies. Here are some of the key issues it has mentioned:

District Hospital: The union claimed that the consignments have reached District Hospital Mon but the medical practitioners and workers are reluctant to use the supplies, as the quality of the items, especially personal protective equipment (PPE) are “sub-standard”.

“As per the Nagaland Public Health Infrastructure statistics, Mon district has 4 nos. of ventilators, 2020 nos of N-95 mask as projected, but only 1 ventilator and zero N-95 mask was received till date. Moreover, in spite of repeated appeal to the government to procure an ambulance, it has been in vain.

“An emergency ambulance which was delivered for Mon to tackle the present situation was ordered by the higher authority to be returned back to Kohima. In this connection, since Mon district do not have any ambulance at this present juncture, the Union strongly ask the concern department to immediately dispatch an ambulance for Mon district,” the statement read.

Education sector: With educational institutions being closed “till further notice” following an order by the government, it said students in the region, especially those from government institutions, are staying idle. It has therefore apprised “the government of Nagaland to come up with an innovative step/cell in directing the concern department to impart lessons through alternative ways so as to keep in touch with the syllabus”.

Local security: The union has directed all the villages adjacent to the state highway and national highway to abstain from erecting barriers and gates on the main road, blocking the supply of essential commodities to other towns and villages. It has asked the village authorities to obey the order on the same that has been issued by the government.

It went on to appeal to the Village Guard department, priority be given to village guards manning the international borders that eastern Nagaland shares, be it fund or supply of basic amenities.

Controlling essential commodities: The union said that goods carriers coming from Assam with essential commodities are unloaded at Border area (Namsa) before being taken to Mon after disinfection as preventive measures against coronavirus. However, it has directed the Mon Chamber of Commerce to resume transportation after disinfection at the border gate without unloading the goods to ease the problems faced by the consumers as well as the suppliers.

Sealing of Assam-Nagaland border: The union has appealed to the law enforcing authority to seal all the border entry points, especially Assam-Nagaland border as well as monitor routes that are not accessible by vehicles. ‘As assured by security authority and district administration to keep vigilant effectively in the border, the union directs all the respective KU branch/students body to give full co-operation and strictly monitor to fight the pandemic (Covid-19),’the statement read.

Assistance towards stranded people: The union has urged the state government to ease the hardships faced by the people of the state, both employees and students stranded in various Indian states, stating that they are struggling even to get basic necessities away from home.