New Delhi: At a time when India is fighting against Covid-19 pandemic, more than 300 families living in remote Mon district of Nagaland, along the India-Myanmar border, have been provided with essential commodities like rice, dal, and other items by Seva Bharati, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) working for the upliftment of the downtrodden.
"Taking up the call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have initiated the steps and decided to help the needy," said Dr Sankar Deb Roy, President, Seva Bharati.
The initiative taken by Seva Bharati assumes significance following the fact that the area adjacent to the Myanmar border is deprived of many essential services.
"Being a remote and adjoining border area there are less number of shops which could fulfill the requirements of essential commodities of the people living in the area," said Dr Deb Roy, who himself is an Oncologist and engaged in social service. The area is also characterised by hilly terrain, bad road conditions among others.
Dr Deb Roy said that 1500 kg of rice, 310 kg of dal, biscuits 2 cartons and 120 kg tea leaves have been delivered for 300 families living in the remote areas of Mon district.
"We will carry similar initiative for two other border district along with India and Myanmar namely Tuensung and Kephre," added Dr Deb Roy. Till date, there was no Covid-19 positive case reported from Nagaland.
"The state government is ensuring 100 per cent implementation of the lockdown and social distancing," said Dr Deb Roy.
It may be mentioned here that immediately after the news of Tablighi Jaamat workers came to the light, the Nagaland government came into action and traced two Jaamat workers from two different places.
"The two Jaamat workers have been quarantined," said an official from Nagaland Health Department.
Nagaland shares its 215 km of border with Myanmar. Three more northeastern states including Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Manipur (398 km) and Mizoram (510 km) share its border with Myanmar.
Most of the area along the India Myanmar border remain porous which is always a matter of concern for India's security as many of the rebel groups of Northeast have their hideouts in the dense jungle of Myanmar.
Significantly, 34 Covid-19 positive cases have been reported from five different states in Northeast including Assam (28), Arunachal Pradesh (1), Manipur (2), Mizoram (2), and Tripura (1).
As many as 27 cases in Assam and two in Manipur are linked to the Tablighi Jaamat cluster.
The only case from Tripura has been detected on Monday when a 45 years old woman with travel history to Guwahati was tested Covid-19 positive.
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