Nagaland
Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio. (File image)

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday said the ongoing lockdown will be relaxed in a phased manner depending on the daily case report of the state which has been placed under green zone.

Rio was speaking at a meeting with government officers and NGOs in Mokokchung deputy commissioner’s residence after inspecting the arrangements and preparedness of Covid hospitals in Mokokchung.

He said the state’s economy has suffered during the lockdown period and appealed to all to reconstruct the economy by going back to the land and start producing.

“If we fail in our economy, we will not survive simply depending in central grants alone. We all must work together and rescue ourselves,” Rio said.

On the stranded people’s movement, he called upon all to follow and maintain the guidelines issued by the government.

Rio appreciated all for their selfless contribution and extending cooperation in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic till the stage of the lockdown.

He said he expected the same response from every quarter during the extended third lockdown period also.

“We are fighting with an invisible enemy. Let us all put our mistakes and differences behind and fight this unitedly,” he said.

Rio, along with deputy chief minister Y. Patton, also visited the Covid hospital in Wokha on the day and held a meeting with government officials, Lotha Hoho, Lotha Eloe Hoho and Lotha Students Union.

“We are better prepared now to fight against the pandemic crisis,” Rio said at the meeting.

He said it was all possible because of collective efforts of all sections of the society which he termed as “Team Nagaland.”

He added that the lockdown was very successful in the state because of the support and cooperation of the civil societies and NGOs.

He also thanked all the churches and believers for their constant prayer support during such crisis.