The Delhi unit of the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take stern action against any form of racism against the people of the Northeast anywhere in India.
The rights body made the appeal especially in the wake of ongoing fight against Covid-19, following widespread reported cases of racial profiling, violence and discrimination against the people from Northeast living and working in different parts of India.
It said many cases have gone unreported while the rise in cases of racism has evoked fear and insecurity among the community in addition to the collective fear of coronavirus.
The rights body convener, Chingri Vashum, and co-convener, Guangpuangnag Kahmei, in a letter to Modi on Tuesday, sought protection from eviction and harassment of the tenants from the Northeast by landlords across India.
The organisation urged the Prime Minister to set up shelters in different cities for stranded people of the region. It also urged him to provide concessions on all forms of rent for the Northeast students, non-working and vulnerable population.
NBCC appeal: The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) called upon executive secretaries/directors of Baptist associations under it to direct all their churches, in no uncertain terms, to avoid mass gatherings in the church buildings until the nationwide lockdown is over.
NBCC general secretary Rev. Zelhou Keyho, through a release, urged all the church leaders to take the responsibility to convey the urgency of the situation and the need to act in a more practical way with respect to church life along with prayers and pastoral care.
Saying Covid-19 affected everyone in society, he said, “As followers of Christ, we need to be exemplary in our social responsibility.”
Keyho thanked God that no one has been confirmed positive with the virus in Nagaland so far. He said the Church, in this developing situation, cannot be complacent but remain vigilant and be prepared for any eventuality.
Rio visit: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday visited the quarantine centre at Meriema and Covid-19 hospital at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima to review the preparedness for management and containment of Covid-19. He was accompanied by health and family welfare minister S. Pangnyu Phom and planning and coordination and land revenue minister Neiba Kronu.
At Meriema quarantine facility, Rio asked the healthcare personnel to intensify their efforts and to be very careful in managing such pandemic especially in places like Kohima and Dimapur.
He also reminded the official in-charge to look into the welfare of the working personnel at the health facility. He emphasised on maintaining a cleaner environment in and around the facility by painting the walls and planting trees.
At Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, Rio stressed on cleanliness and maintenance of a good drainage system on the hospital premises. He as-ked the health and family welfare department to put forward proposals for any requirement towards improving the health system at the hospital.
He appreciated the doctors and other health workers for their hard work towards the service of mankind.