Dimapur, Oct. 31 (EMN): A group of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working on AIDS in Nagaland on Saturday expressed dismay over the decision to disband the Legislative Forum on AIDS (LFA) which was first conceptualised by the United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS decades ago.
The press release was issued by NGOs including Akimbo Society, Dimapur; Bethesda Youth Welfare Centre, Dimapur; Care Counselling Centre, Mokokchung; Care and Support Society, Mokokchung; Eureka Life Foundation, Phek; Grace Society, Changtongya; Guardian Angel, Dimapur; IBAPO, Kiphirie; Jerimen Youth Society, Jerimen; Lightway Society, Pfutssero; Prodigal’s Home, Dimapur; Rural Area Foundation(RAF), Dimapur; Shansham Organisation, Mon; Yingli Mission Society, Longleng; and Zion Welfare Society, Baghty.
It stated that when Nagaland is going through a critical state to tackle the issue of sex workers, surge in drug use, hepatitis- C co-infection, the LFA which had shown tremendous effort in the past and was progressing on the right direction, it was very tragic on the part of the state government to abruptly disband the great mission, which will further alienate the participation of the elected lawmaker from the realities of HIV/AIDS and its associated issues.
Therefore, the NGOs appealed to the Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio and his cabinet to reconsider the decision and restore back the sanctity of the LFA and let legislature command ownership of the issue without any partisan feelings.
