Kolasib(Mizoram): Senior citizens, villagers and Young Mizo Association (YMA) have joined hands to take on the might of Covid19 pandemic in their own way. Amid an ongoing lockdown in view of a surge in Covid19 cases in this tiny state, several village level task forces have been set up across Mizoram to provide a helping hand to the needy people on a war-footing.
Residents of the village under the aegis of the village-level task force on Covid-19 comprising village council members and Young Mizo Association (YMA) came together and distributed food items including vegetables and other essential commodities. The Village Council members, Mizoram Upa Pawl State Senior Citizens Association of Mizoram), Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl Mizo Women's Association are also members of the village level task force.
ETV Bharat visited such a village level task force and interacted with its members at Kolasib district of the State. “Under the village level task force, we distribute essential commodities to the people whenever required. We conduct a massive awareness campaign too for the villagers,” said Andrew, a member of the village level task force to ETV Bharat. He said that such a task force is being set up to tackle and combat the Covid19 pandemic within its local jurisdiction.
It may be mentioned here that the Union Health Ministry in a recent communique to the State government has suggested for setting up such a village level task force. Mizoram is one such state in India which has been witnessing a spike in Covid cases. “Apart from the State level task force, we have a district level task force which is being headed by deputy commissioner,” said Andrew.
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Mizoram, with a population of just over one million, has been reeling under Covid-19 pandemic with 600 to 800 new cases reported across the State every day. Reports compiled by the health department of Mizoram, the state has recorded more than 18,000 fresh cases in July this year and such cases have started witnessing a spike in August. The state, which has been under lockdown since April 20 has over 13,000 active cases at the moment.
Ironically, the recent border clash between Mizoram and Assam had its impact over Mizoram’s fight against the pandemic with a number of trucks carrying life saving drugs and medicines as well as oxygen cylinders passing through Assam were unable to enter Mizoram and are still stuck at the border. The blockade still continues as both the State governments on Thursday unanimously decided to normalize the situation.
In an SOS message, Mizoram Health Minister Dr R Lalthangliana has said that when the State is being badly affected by the second wave of the pandemic, life saving equipment and crucial drugs and medicines being stuck at the border is a matter of great concern that needs immediate intervention.
“We are all aware that the Government of India has notified the COVID-19 pandemic as a national disaster and all state governments too are doing their best to mitigate the crisis. In the midst, when Mizoram is being badly affected by the second wave of the pandemic, life saving equipment and crucial drugs and medicines being stuck at the border is a matter of great concern that needs immediate intervention. While there are no problems from Mizoram side, some vested interests in the area, for reasons best known to them, are still blocking the movement of trucks entering Mizoram. This is utter disregard for lives of the people of Mizoram and the commitment of the Government of Mizoram to an amicable solution to the border dispute,” said Dr Lalthangliana.
Read: Peace message: Assam, Mizoram sign joint statement, agree to ease tension
