Naga tribal bodies including Angami public Organization (APO), Ao Senden and Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) have urged the citizens stranded in several parts of the country due to COVID-19 lockdown to reconsider their plans to return to the state.
Meanwhile, as per the list prepared, around 2038 in various districts across the state– Dimapur: 538 rooms, Kiphire: 89 rooms, Kohima: 240 rooms, Longleng: 47 rooms, Mokokchung: 236 rooms, Mon: 126 rooms, Peren: 173 rooms, Phek: 191 rooms, Zunheboto: 60 rooms, Tuensang: 194 rooms and Wokha: 189 rooms.
APO: Taking note of the proposed return of thousands of stranded people particularly to Kohima and Dimapur, the Angami Public Organisation has appealed to all responsible to decide well before taking a decision to travel.
Acknowledging that the stranded citizens could be facing various problems and difficulties, APO, however, expressed belief that staying wherever they were could be the safest thing at this juncture. APO stated that they could be free of virus at the moment, but there was a bigger risk of exposing themselves to the virus during their travels. “We are here to facilitate your coming if you really need to return,” APO said, but urged them to think twice before taking decision to return.
Unless it was very necessary to return, APO said it was best that the stranded citizens stayed where they were for the betterment of all. APO assured to extend necessary help by requesting the government to initiate prompt and timely actions to help those in need.
Ao Senden: Apex Ao tribal body, the Ao Senden through its president Chubawati Longchar and general secretary Imtipokyim has urged those stranded persons in various places across the country not to return home.
Acknowledging the hardships being faced especially by those stranded outside the state, the Senden, however, added it was doing its best to ease the hardships by communicating with all the concerned. Also admitting that it would be very hard to be away from families at such a time, the It, however, maintained that it would be in the best interest of all for those stranded people to remain wherever they were until the pandemic subsided.
CPO: Expressing concern over Nagas stranded in different parts of the country, the Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) has, however, appealed to the stranded citizens to reconsider their return plans and remain where they were for some period.
In a press release, CPO president Mikha Kenye and general secretary Veduvo Rhakho said that to return at this juncture would not merit much as all the preparations were taking place. CPO added that any lapses on guidelines protocols would “lead to social unrest which will have far reaching consequences.”
CPO also requested the parents to have considerate understanding even if they were desirous to bring back their children. It also requested the state government to provide necessary measures in case of students and employees decided to stay back.