Dimapur, April 14 (EMN): While appreciating the concerns and apprehension raised by the people, organisations and the various political parties, including the leader of the opposition on the spread of novel coronavirus (Covid-19), the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has urged the government to seriously examine and address the grievances at the earliest.
It admitted that during such a global crisis, it is natural for people to question their government on the preparedness and the safety measures in place for its citizens. It however appealed to set aside all differences and political agenda in the spirit of unity and togetherness as one family to fight for humanity against this pandemic.
The party explained that the present pandemic has taken the world by surprise and even advanced nations have been dealing with treating the infected cases on trial and error basis learning along the way without actually having a set of mechanism on dealing with this virus. It, therefore, stated that the lockdown imposed by the government of India since March 24 has proven to be most effective mechanism till now in “somewhat” containing the pandemic in the country. NDPP has requested to continue observing the lockdown till further notice in order to control the spread of the virus.
NDPP’s statement through its media and communication committee also appreciated the efforts of the state government in trying to deal with the pandemic. It appreciated the sacrifices made by all the medical and frontline workers, who are tirelessly working for the safety of the people and to keep the state prepared.
On the lack of a testing facility in the state, NDPP stated that, to have a bio safety level (BSL) 3/4 laboratory in the state, it needs the approval of the government of India. It regretted that the requests of installing such a laboratory in the past were denied by the government of India as Nagaland do not have a functional medical college. However, feeling the urgency of setting up such laboratories to fight Covid-19, it stated that with the initiatives of the state government, the Centre government has accorded necessary approvals for setting up of BSL-3/4 labs at Kohima and Dimapur.
While welcoming the concerns raised by various political parties and organisations in the state, it also appealed to them to stand united and encourage the government and frontline workers. It further appealed to desist from blame games and finger-pointing at each other but stand as one with the government as the pandemic knows no race, creed, colour, government, politics or social standing. It urged to face this global pandemic in a unified manner under a spirit of oneness and unity.
