Dimapur, July 24 (MExN): Over a 100 people protested in Kohima on Saturday against the state government’s latest measures to push people to get vaccinated and curb rising COVID-19 infections in Nagaland.
Demonstrations were held by a group that called itself ‘Team Awaken Nagaland’ at the Old MLA Hostel Junction following which a memorandum was submitted to the state Chief Secretary through the Kohima Deputy Commissioner.
Among other things, the memorandum which was appended by 135 signatories demanded the withdrawal of the state government’s orders that were issued on July 16 and 17 with regard to vaccination of government employees, teachers and people who wish to travel within the state.
“There are certain stipulations given to the citizens of Nagaland that unless vaccinated there will be (a) restriction of inter district travel (b) non-payment of salary. These orders call for mandatory vaccination which violates direction given by the office of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi,” the memorandum stated referring to the two government orders.
It claimed that at this juncture, “many people are apprehensive about the efficacy of the vaccines and are determined not to take it. As vaccination is made mandatory as per this impugned Notification, this visibly infringes the Right to Life, and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.”
Seeking a ban on Covishield and any other COVID Vaccines “until efficacy is proven,” the memorandum stated that “the efficacy of the COVID vaccines are yet to be ascertained as vaccinated persons are also getting adverse side effects such as fatigues, headaches, tiredness and in some extreme cases even deaths besides others and vaccinated people getting are still getting infected with COVID even after completing the prescribed dose.” As such, it urged the government to make vaccination available for people only on voluntary basis and that no one should be pressurized on this ground.
The memorandum demanded that no mandatory tests are done with RT-PCR kits and sought to “change certain SOPs that make wearing of mask mandatory.”
In the memorandum, the group also urged for “churches to remain open at all times for healing, counselling, worship,” and said that “Those churches willing to open its doors should not be discouraged nor discriminated as it is also a fundamental right and freedom.”
Citing reports that certain districts have “ordered all churches to allow only 100 % vaccinated people to church sittings,” it stated that such orders are an “absolute discrimination” and goes against Christian perspectives and beliefs. “When even during lockdowns many markets are crowded, why should the churches be limited to 20 or 50?” it questioned.
Further, the memorandum underscored that “Lockdowns have been very inconsiderate of poor people especially people living on the fringe and depending on their daily wage.” It said the lockdowns have ruined many small businesses as well as many marginalised people who sell vegetables or engage in daily wage work and are completely dependent on their daily earning to sustain their families.
Stating that the lockdowns and loss of livelihood “is causing and will continue to cause social unrest,” the memorandum questioned if the government willing to pay any and all compensations brought about by the adverse reaction of the COVID Vaccination and whether the government would repatriate all losses incurred due to the prolonged lockdowns.
