Tuensang COVID-19 case: WYH questions existence of Task Force & War Room

Dimapur, May 27: The Western Yimchungru Hoho (WYH) has expressed shock and dismay over the “irresponsible, mismanagement and barbaric treatment” meted out to the innocent returnees belonging to Tuensang District and also at the same time condemn the Department of Health &Family Welfare, the Officials and the persons responsible for sending 169 returnees of Chennai from Quarantine Centre at Kohima to Tuensang without following the proper protocol of handling the returnees and importantly the suspected Covid-19 positive patient.
The WYH also questioned the very existence and purpose of Covid-19 Task Force and War Room, Secretariat as such irresponsible, in-coordination and mismanagement of returnees from different parts of the country especially where one Covid -19 positive was made to travel amongst the 168 returnees in five buses, without maintaining social distancing and without segregating the returnees based on Green, Orange and Red Zone.
The WYH said the returnees were made to board the bus from 11:30 a.m. but it departed towards Tuensang only after 1:30 p.m. from the Quarantine Centre at Kohima. The returnees were not provided lunch before departure or any food package for their onward journey, it alleged adding such step-motherly treatment igniting a sense of second-class Citizen of the State through the action of the concerned authority of the Department of H&FW and Covid-19 Task Force is very condemnable and numerous questions and doubt arises.
“The WYH is forced to understand that the intention of the person/Authority in-charge of sending the returnees to Tuensnag District without proper verification of their test result status is to spread the virus among the returnees and populace of the Tuensang District and also to create panic and misunderstanding amongst the Tribes of the already sensitive Tuensang District,” a press release issued by WYH media cell stated.
The Hoho appealed to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Nagaland to constitute an enquiry and initiate necessary action against the accountable persons responsible for creating the mess.
The WYH also expressed displeasure against the Minister of Health &Family Welfare that such an unfortunate event took place which clearly indicate the lapses and unpreparedness in tackling Covid-19 pandemic.
The WYH also urged Covid-19 Task Force of Tuensang District to be active and expect sincere participation from them in fighting the common invisible enemy.
The WYH further appealed to the Minister, H&FW to educate and direct his officials to impart proper SOP in dealing with the returnees from outside the State with empathy and show humane side to the returnees who are already physically exhausted and mentally depressed owing to loss of job, fear of being infected and the fear of being unaccepted or ostracized by family, Village Council and society at large. (Page News Service)