Poumai Naga Union (PNU) asks all returnees to be obedient & cooperative
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, May 18 2020: The office of the Poumai Naga Union (PNU) which is the apex body of the Poumai Naga Tribe lauded the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, esteemed Cabinets and authorities for steering the public in the right direction during this trying time.

They also saluted the yeoman contributions of the frontline fighters and all those selfless individuals who have contributed in their capacity to contain COVID-19 in the State.

While lauding the stewardship and spirit of community service, the recent surge of COVID-19 positive cases with the return of the stranded returnees have raised serious concern and apprehension.

The office of the Poumai Naga Union (PNU) urged the competent authority to mandate proper testing before entry to the State.

It also appealed for designation of Specialized Government Quarantine Centres at District Headquarters for mandatory hosting of the returnees.

The returnees from the Poumai Naga community will be mandated to stay at an institutional quarantine centre functioning through Government agency and under the supervision of medical experts for at least 14 days.

This rationality is to avert the probability of turning the district into a hotspot of COVID-19 as the Poumai Villages are geographically isolated, away from National Highways with certain negligible medical facilities, poor phytosanitary facilities and no law enforcing personnel.

It must be noted that the community quarantine centres constructed in most villages are mere makeshift without following Special Operating Procedures (SOP).

Moreover, these quarantine centres are in open fields and forest without certification and vigilance by medical experts which may lead to health hazards and complications with climate change and approaching rainy season.

In this regard, the body appeals to the authorities not to send the returnees to the Villages without stringent measures.

The body appeals to the citizens not to panic but strictly adhere to Government guidelines/protocols and notifications issued by a competent authority.

The office further asks all the returnees to be self-disciplined and co-operative with the quarantine authorities and diligently abide by its guidelines.

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