Demand for total lockdown in Kohima

July 22, 2020 80 Views No Comment

AKMWP sets 5-day deadline, threatens to impose lockdown

Correspondent
KOHIMA | JUL 21 (NPN)

Prominent organisations of Kohima City, echoing sentiments of public have demanded a total lockdown in the State Capital for at least two weeks to check the rapid spread of coronavirus.

Making the demand, Association of Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayat (AKMWP) and Kohima Village Council (KVC), have asked the State government to impose a total lockdown for two weeks immediately.

In a separate statement, AKMWP pointed out that COVID-19 positive cases were rising at an alarming rate through suspected ‘community transmission’. AKMWP has therefore, served a five-day deadline on the state government to impose total lockdown in all wards of Kohima Municipal Council (KMC). The AKMWP ultimatum came close on the heels of detection of four new COVID-19 cases outside the quarantine centre here on Monday.

AKMWP president Neibulie Kiewhuo and general secretary Thejao Sekhose, in a letter addressed to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kohima Gregory Thejawalie, stated that despite the rejection of its July 18, 2020 appeal for a two-week total lockdown in Kohima municipality, the citizens were seriously observing the steps taken for containing the spread of the virus.

However, when DC forwarded the proposal to the government for a seven-day total lockdown in Kohima municipal area, it was rejected on the ground that a lockdown was not warranted. AKMWP claimed that due to ‘community transmission’ two COVID-19 positive cases were detected outside the quarantine centre. AKMWP said due to this, citizens had pleaded with it to pursue total lockdown in the state capital.

Speaking to Nagaland Post, Kiewhuo claimed that most of the wards had agreed for a total lockdown. He said in case the DC failed to respond to the ultimatum, the wards would be compelled to clamp down total lockdown in all the wards under KMC. However, AKMWP president appreciated the DC for understanding the plight and concern of the citizens. AKMWP has therefore, urged upon the district administration to ponder over the consequences if the current situation continues, and hence take appropriate measures within five days.

KVC memo to CM: Meanwhile, Kohima Village Counicl (KVC) has also demanded a two-week total lockdown in the State Capital.

In a representation to chief minister Neiphiu Rio, KVC chairman Dr. Neiphi Kire and secretary Zeneizo Rutsa said that a small State like Nagaland with barely 20 lakh people was witnessing a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases within a brief span of time. They said the situation was grim as sporadic cases had emerged from various colonies of Kohima.

KVC pointed out that four positive cases had already been reported from Daklane, Kezieke, Jotsoma and AG colony and so, feared an alarming situation if more positive cases emerge if testing was increased.

With no known vaccine for COVID-19, KVC reminded the chief minister that the State also lacked proper infrastructure and adequate facilities to manage the cases.

KVC also said public also did not follow simple yet effective general preventive measures like -wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, sanitization, etc. It said all these factors made the condition ripe for a disastrous community transmission in Kohima.

Under the circumstances, KVC urged the government to immediately impose total lockdown for two weeks to prevent spread of the virus so as to break the chain of infection.

KVC also thanked the government for responding favourably to its earlier representation and consequently evolving a pragmatic Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the entire State , which had decongested the oversaturated quarantine centres both in Kohima and Dimapur.

KVC said the revised SOP had also brought great relief to overburdened frontline workers and significantly mitigated the risk of infection and community spread to the residents of Kohima.

Further, KVC expressed solidarity and appreciation to the frontline workers for risking their personal safety for the common welfare of the community. It also resolved to stand by the government in combating the challenges of this pandemic in the difficult days ahead.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/demand-for-total-lockdown-in-kohima/219439.html