DIMAPUR, May 28 - Unhappy with the Nagaland Government�s decision to set up a Biosafety Level-2 (BSL-2) laboratory at Tuensang, the Confederation of Chang Students� Union today staged a demonstration in Tuensang town, demanding setting up of a more advanced BSL-3 laboratory.
Civil society organisations also supported the union�s demand. Four persons of the district who returned from Chennai on May 22, had tested positive for COVID-19.
The union members held placards reading �Don�t appease us with Marie biscuits and a glass of water�, �Shift the capital to Tuensang�, etc. They also tried to block the passage of Health and Family Welfare Minister S Pangnyu Phom to Tuensang.
The protest was timed to coincide with the visit of Phom, Adviser to Information and Public Relations, SCERT and Village Guards, Toshi Wungtung and Principal Director, Health and Family Welfare Department, D Vizolie Suokhrie, to Tuensang.
The government team held an emergency meeting with the Tuensang District Task Force at the Tuensang Deputy Commissioner�s conference hall.
Representatives of Eastern Nagaland People�s Organisation, other civil societies, church associations and Red Cross Society attended the meeting.
They pointed out alleged lapses in bringing back stranded people from Chennai before their COVID-19 test results were out.
The civil society members demanded construction of a BSL-3 laboratory at Tuensang and also raised the issue of shortage of manpower to run the district COVID-19 hospital.
A BSL-3 laboratory is significantly advanced than a BSL-2 laboratory in terms of its design, infrastructure and operational procedures and practices.
Phom called upon all to learn from the COVID situation and come together to fight for the safety of the public.
�This is the time for all stakeholders to come together for the common cause,� he said.
