Northern Angami Public Organisation (NAPO) has expressed deep concern over the possible spread of COVID-19 in its area due to “unscrupulous and callous attitude” of the authority in permitting free movement of labourers and staff of the power station project at Zhadima village located within its jurisdiction.
In a press release, NAPO president Zeneituo Yano and general secretary Kuotievi Khro said that the workers, who arrived from outside the state, were being allowed without undergoing proper screening and 14-day mandatory quarantine as per SOP.
NAPO said the unrestricted movement has created fear and anxiety in the mind of the public. The organisation maintained that the chances of virus spreading to people living in surrounding areas through those labourers and staff, who have arrived from red zone areas, was high.
Asserting that it did not intend to hamper the ongoing project, NAPO has, however, appealed to the responsible authority to ensure that all safety measures were taken before issuing such permit.
It also appealed to the authority to control free movement the staff as far as possible and carry out work with the already available workforces in station so as to control the potential spread of virus.
NAPO warned that any lapses on the part of authority cannot be tolerated.
It said that the public of the area, for safety and security of the people, had the right to take any measures for its citizens.
The organisation has also advised the village authorities not to entertain any unknown travellers and strictly adhere to all safety measures.