Dimapur, Nov. 15 (EMN): Zeliang Students’ Union (ZLSU) was aggrieved to see the adamant stance of the state government on the ongoing agitation by Department Recruited Aggrieved Nurses 2021 (DRAN 2021).
“It will be apathetic and inhumane on the part of the government to thoughtlessly ignore the legitimate demand of the nurses who have rendered their invaluable services for the safety of the people by standing at the frontline, risking their lives and leaving their family and loved ones behind at the time when the world was plagued by the Covid-19 pandemic,” ZLSU said in a press release.
The union stated that it would be unethical on the part of the government to disparagingly treat the nurses like objects, when the public regard them as “heroes” and “warriors” for the immense sacrifices they have made for the people when there were so much dead and panic.
“Besides the sacrifices they have made, we are all aware of the recruitment process that was done fairly even during the pandemic through the department recruitment board as per the government advertisement to meet the much-needed nurses also. They are the first in the history of nurses to be recruited through proper exams for the regular state service,” the union stated.
ZLSU urged immediate interventions of the chief minister, state Health and Family Welfare minister and the department concerned to deliver justice by materialising their genuine cries and grievances.
In a separate press statement, the Network of Nagaland Drugs and AIDS Organisations (NNaga DAO), an apex body of NGOs and CBOs working in the field of drugs, HIV, and AIDS in Nagaland, expressed concern at the ongoing agitation by the DRAN.
NNaga DAO stated that the aggrieved nurses were recruited and put to the task against COVID-19 during the time when the pandemic was overwhelming in the state. It stated that the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed them to the most enduring conditions that threatened their health and well-being besides the risk of exposing themselves and their families to COVID-19.
“Now that the COVID-19 war like situation has vastly improved, it is unfortunate to see the fate of the COVID warriors being treated in such a manner whereby their legitimate rights, which they rightfully deserve and need to be applauded, are being denied,” it stated.
NNaga DAO called upon the health minister and also urged the government of the day to acknowledge their appeal and to regularise their service.