Encourage each other to vaccinate as  responsible citizen: Tongpang Ozüküm

Launches Ao Students’ Union Diphupar ‘Face Mask Campaign’

Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 9 

Nagaland Minister for Minister Public Works Department (PWD) Tongpang Ozüküm today launched the ‘Face Mask Campaign’ of Ao Students Union Diphupar (ASUD) on October 9 at Ao Baptist Church Diphupar. 

The campaign is aimed at raise awareness on the importance of wearing a face mask and adhering to COVID-19 appropriate behaviours.

As a part of the campaign volunteers distributed masks and car sticker with COVID-19 messages in five locations. 

Launching the campaign, Ozüküm lauded the ASUD, which he noted,  has had been active in undertaking many progressive activities since its inception in 1992. 

 Further commending the present team for the ‘Face Mask Campaign,’ the Minister expressed his strong belief that it would not only benefits Naga people, but creates more awareness on saving and protecting oneself from the  protection COVID-19 pandemic. 

The pandemic has shaken entire world and Nagaland is no exception. Nagas were very “careful and serious” in the first wave, so the impact was not strongly felt, the Minister pointed out. 

“But with the 2nd wave, maybe we were little complacent; not so serious maybe,” he said. 

The Minister further indicated that vaccine hesitancy could also be a part of this non-seriousness.  ‘I was informed that the death toll till today was 654, and out of this, 99% were not vaccinated,’ he added, to underscore the importance of vaccination. 

Even now on social media and WhatsApp groups, there are so many propagandas, the Minister pointed out.  

‘Naga are so good in defending ourselves; we quote Article 19 dealing of the Constitution dealing with freedom of speech and Article 21 on personal liberty” to vaccinate or not, he said. 

However, he pointed out that while Nagas talk “so much about personal liberty,” they tend to forgot about their duties, posing: “What about out duties as noted in Section 269 and 270 of Indian Penal Code?”

Section 269 deals with punishment for “Whoever unlawfully or negligently does any act… which is likely to “spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life” and Section 270 deals with punishment for “malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life.”

In this connection, he appealed all the attendees as well as the Nagas to get the vaccination. 

‘While we maintained the COVID-19 appropriate behavour, the most important thing to protect ourselves, in the absence of proper treatment, is vaccination, he stressed. 

Nobody can force you, but you have responsibility to get vaccination, he added. 

The Minister also expressed happiness to learn that there was 75% and 67% vaccination respectively, in Diphupar A and B villages. Let us go 100% vaccination. There is no harm in getting the vaccine,” he urged, appealing the apex organisations of both the villages.  

Quoting experts, Ozukum further said that the third wave is coming and may affect children too.

‘I don’t want to responsible for getting them infected or my near and dear ones. As responsible citizen, let us vaccinate and encourage each other to be vaccinated,’ he urged. 

UDA is ‘one’ on Naga political issue 
Touching upon the vexed Naga political talks, he said that the newly formed United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of Nagaland is one after coming together.

‘We are united and more open and trust each other,’ he said. 

With the change of new Interlocutor to Naga peace talk, he said, “We are hopeful that Nagas will see the solution.” 

If there is a solution, there will be an interim government and we don’t know whether an election would be held or not. But it is the cry of the people that solution should come and it is through this, we can reap the fruit of development, he implied. 

Pray for all stakeholders in the process, he added. 

Earlier, ASUD President Imnayanger Jamir welcomed that gathering while Ao Senso Telongjem Diphupar President, T Maong Aier gave an exhortation.   

An eating competition and a cycling competition were also organised on sidelines of the launching campaign.