Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 10
Returnees in one of the quarantine centres in Chümoukedima staged an agitation against the alleged “half-cooked rice” provided to them.
The agitation took place on June 9 but the video of the same went viral the next day. In the video, returnees were filmed shouting from the terrace of the building where they are currently being quarantined.
According to the returnees, they were provided half-cooked rice for two consecutive days. Despite multiple complaints, it was reportedly not rectified.
“We approached the officials in charge regarding the rice, and they even informed the cooks, but there was no change. We were fed undercooked rice two days in a row, “one of the returnees told The Morung Express.
‘Not a social media stunt’
Clarifying that their intention was not to take the issue to social media, one of the agitators said “The caterers are scared to come near us, and our complaints through the officials were falling on deaf ears. So we had to shout our grievances from the terrace to take it directly to them."
Stressing that the incident was not a case of them being ‘ungrateful,’ he added that the issue had to be taken up with the concerned people as it was taking a toll on their health.
“We were told that the caterer had been informed but the rice remained the same. Many of us went without food for the last two days. Some who could not handle the hunger ate the rice anyway and ended up having stomach problems and dysentery,” he maintained, adding that the whole incident being filmed and going viral was not part of the plan.
Another returnee said “We are not demanding meat, fish etc but at least the rice which is the main food for all should be properly cooked. And we have confirmed that half cooked rice has been given to us as a new caterer took over. Else, earlier we were given well cooked food,” he said.
‘Issue resolved’
Confirming this, an official of the Food Committee said that according to information received, around 400 more returnees were expected at the quarantine centre. So the decision to set up a new kitchen in the quarantine centre premise was taken. The new kitchen was set up on June 8 and the new caterer also took charge on the same day.
Reportedly, the new caterer had used another rice of inferior quality.
The Food Committee along with the EAC Chümoukedima and Food Safety Officer visited the quarantine centre on Wednesday and met with the caterer and the returnees, he informed.
We understand this is not an isolated incident and it is very unfortunate that things had to come to this, but the caterer has been instructed and the rice has been changed, he said.
“But instead of going to the social media, they could have approached the in-charge of the quarantine centre for the particular issue. In fact, the in-charge and other officials also use to have the same food provided to the returnees,” the official added.
Taking note of the grievances, the caterer has been instructed to ensure both quality and quantity of the food, it was informed.
While the items on the menu are subject to market availability, strict instructions have been given to change the rice and provide nutritious food to the returnees and we will be constantly monitoring the meals, he said.
Meanwhile, stating that with the officials’ intervention, the issue stands resolved for now, the returnees reiterated “All we are asking for is properly cooked rice.”
