Nagaland government bars religious gatherings

Dimapur, March 31 (EMN): The government of Nagaland has banned religious ‘congregations’ and mass gatherings in the state till the 21-day lockdown, which started on March 24 midnight, is over.

An order from the Home department on Tuesday reasoned that such assembly or gathering has “the potential of easily allowing the spread” of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

‘The state presently is under lockdown for 21 days with effect from the midnight of March 24, along with the rest of the country, for preventing the spread of the dreaded novel coronavirus,’ it stated.

‘During this period, all kinds of gatherings are barred including religious congregations as such mass gatherings have the potential of easily allowing the spread of the virus, thereby putting the lives of many people in serious danger.’

NBCC directs churches to comply 

Stating that the church cannot be complacent “in this extraordinary time”, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has asked its affiliate churches to comply with the directive of the state government.

“Such directive affects the church pastorally and in our public worship. However, the effects of the outbreak of Covid-19 affect everyone in our society and as followers of Christ, we need to be exemplary in our social responsibility. In view of this, I am calling upon each of you to direct all your churches, in no uncertain terms, to avoid mass gathering in the church building until the lockdown is over,” read a letter from the general secretary of NBCC, Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, to all the executive secretaries/directors of Baptist associations under the NBCC.