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Our correspondent
Kohima, May 9 (EMN): A total of 925 people, who were stranded at Kohima due to the lockdown, have headed to their respective districts on May 9 through the arrangement made by the administration. Altogether, 27 buses were pressed into service for their transportation.
EAC Kevingoto Kulna told Eastern Mirror that 146 persons from Kiphire have left in three buses; 74 persons from Phek district in two buses; 38 persons from Noklak in one bus; 84 persons from Meluri in two buses; 63 persons from Peren in two buses; 36 persons from Tuensang in one bus; 68 persons from Dimapur in three buses; 176 persons to Assam (gate) in five buses; 80 persons from Chozuba in three buses; 31 persons form Pfutsero in one bus; 32 persons from Mao gate in one bus; 34 persons from Mokokchung in one bus; and 54 persons from Wokha in two buses.
Kulna informed that all the stranded persons could not be send home although today’s programme was officially the last day. While there has been no official confirmation yet, Kulna stated, “we will continue on Monday if we are given the permission.”
He also informed that they have been receiving calls from other persons, who have already registered, to inquire about the time for bus departure. He mentioned that 604 people who are transported to Assam (gate) as well as 636 Nagas, who will be crossing Assam border to reach their homes, were screened on Friday.
He also shared that they are issuing medical certificate to some passengers, whose villages have insisted on medical certificate, though actually it was not required as the state has been declared under green zone.
The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) has also released a press statement addressed to the chief minister appealing him to extend the date of movement of passenger in order to completely ferry stranded people back to their home from various districts across the state.
It stated that only few stranded people could be transported during the permitted time period while majority of the stranded people are yet to be evacuated particularly from Eastern Nagaland.
Meanwhile, Tuensang district administration has transported more than 318 persons comprising of local indigenous students, daily wage earners and others from May 7 to the 9th.
On May 9, 35 persons from Dimapur, nine persons from Kohima, 39 persons from Noklak and 13 persons from Shamator were transported in five buses.
A dedicated facilitation cell was set up at DC’s office in Tuensang town with SDO (C) as nodal officer along with EAC Puhan and NST station superintendent Meju as members to monitor the whole process.
In a dampener to the celebrations, thousands of students and daily wagers from the Konyak community were perplexed to be told about the non-availability of conveyance for their onward sojourn at Kohima local on Saturday.
Dr. W Phola Konyak, president of Konyak Union Kohima (KUK), while speaking to Eastern Mirror, stated that the union has clearly instructed fellow stranded Konyak members in Kohima well ahead not to come without proper information. He, however, stated that the people didn't pay heed to their announcement and came out in large numbers under the influence of false rumours on social media.
Phola also stated that the plight of the stranded people could not be ignored since they all wanted to go home as they are suffering being away due to the nationwide lockdown in view of Covid-19.
ADC Kohima, Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa told Eastern Mirror that the administration has informed that there wouldn't be any bus for Mon but most of the people have come to Khuochiezie.
Phola informed that many of the stranded people, who couldn't go back after reaching the city, were given accommodation at the residences of state advisors and ministers from Konyak community in Kohima.