Minister Neiba Kronu during inspection to JNV, Lewoza on May 20. (Morung Photo)
Phek, May 21 (MExN): Nagaland’s Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Neiba Kronu on May 20 sought the support of the public to welcome the returnees from different parts of the country.
Speaking at the coordination meeting of Phek district legislators, NGOs and district administration convened by Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) at Pfütsero on May 20, the Minister said that every possible effort need to be made to welcome and take care of the returnees at the institutional quarantine centres across Phek district. “Let us welcome them,” Kronu said who is also the Minister in-charge of Phek District Level Task Force on COVID-19.
“We cannot rely on GoI every time,” he said and stressed on the need to regain and recover the economy, which had been advisedly affected due to COVID-19 pandemic. Kronu said that the government has already identified few intellectuals and entrepreneurs and had several round of discussion on supply chain. State Economic Strategy Committee has also been set up, he said. He maintained that ‘assure- market’ to the villagers is paramount to enable the villagers to produce more. “We have to find out channel for villagers to market their produce,” he said.
Also speaking at the meeting, MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu said “Now it is not a time to criticize. Now it is not a time to point finger at one another. Now it is not a time to play blame game. Now it is a time to come together and fight this Corona virus.`In case of relaxation of Lockdown, Azo said it is everybody duty to try and practice self lockdown and take all precautionary measures. Social distancing protocol should be maintained at all cost and all the times, he said. Expressing concern over false information/propagandas doing the round on social media, he said that educating the people at this very moment has become very important.
In this, he requested DC, CPO, church leaders and frontline workers to disseminate correct information to the public for a healthy society. He also requested DC and SP Phek to enforce lockdown guidelines effectively within Phek district. Further, Azo requested CPO to call for another meeting on the confronting economic issue and the famine like situation that we are going to face, which, he said is more dangerous.
Touching on quarantine facilities under Phek district, CPO president Mikha Kenye said that the district HQs alone cannot host all the returnees so in coordination with the district administration it decided to spread into four blocks at Phek, Meluri, Pfutsero and Chozuba in order to take care of returnees.
He said that CPO has also given direction to the concerned villages under its jurisdiction not to make rules above the guidelines and regulations issued by the health ministry or central/ state government.
MLA Dr Chotisuh Sazo, MLA Kezhienyi Khalo, Phek Deputy Commissioner Sachin Jaiswal, Phek SP Vesupra Kezo, Phek CMO Dr. Vibeituonuo Mepfhuo and Chakhesang Mothers’ Association president Zhonelu Tunyi also spoke at the meeting. Further, Nagaland Medical Council president Dr Joyce Angami and Kohima Educational Trust chairman Dr P Ngully also interacted with the public on COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspects quarantine centre at Lewoza
Minister Neiba Kronu on Wednesday inspected quarantine facility at JNV, Lewoza in Phek district. Visiting the ongoing preparation there, the minister assured to meet the various requirements for this quarantine centre for comfort of the returnees.
Dr. Kolo informed that necessary mock drill have been conducted on May 19 last.
Meanwhile, additional deputy commissioner Pfutsero Phuleshe K Yepthomi in an order stated that in view of the emergency situation arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic and in exercise of the powers conferred by the Nagaland Epidemic Diseases Covid-19 Regulation 2020, and under Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 Section-19 (VII & IX) and Section 65 of the Disaster Management Act 2005, the JNV, Lewoza buildings and its premises has been requisitioned and will be kept at the disposal of the district administration for use as Quarantine facility.
