The Christian Forum Dimapur (CFD) began its Covid-19 campaign—protect yourself to prevent others– by launching the Covid-19 stickers and face masks.

The stickers and face masks will be distributed amongst the frontline workers and the poor and needy at Bishop’s house here on Friday.

Agricultural production commissioner Y. Kikheto Sema, who is the government’s Dimapur district in-charge for Covid-19 related activities, launched the stickers and masks.

Dimapur deputy commissioner Anoop Kinchi, commissioner of police Rothihu Tetseo and chief medical officer Dr Tiasunep Pongener, among others, were present on the occasion.

CFD chairman Rev Moses Murry, in his welcome note, assured all cooperation of the forum in containing the pandemic and said it will distribute 50,000 face masks to the frontline workers and the needy and Covid-19 car stickers besides creating awareness on the virus.

“Our fight is against an unseen virus and we have to fight with our faith in God along with the available human resources. In the midst of such situation, the God is in control and He is with us,” he said.

Expressing concern over the increasing number of Covid positive cases in Assam, Murry appealed to the authority for proper and stringent checkings and manning of the state borders.

Diocese of Kohima Catholic Church Bishop James Thoppil donated 25,000 face masks.

Speaking on the occasion, Sema appealed to the church leaders to help the government use the churches’ infrastructure, specially the church rest houses, for accommodating the stranded people arriving in the state from various states as they have to undergo the health protocols for the safety and interest of all.

“At the end of the day, the government may request the churches to take responsibility of accommodating their church members where it would the assist in providing food and other necessities,” he said.

Sema lauded the associations of private schools and colleges of Dimapur for coming forward to help the government with their hostels. He was also all praise for the non-Nagas of Dimapur such as Marwari Samaj for coming forward and offering to help their people in accommodation, food and all other necessities.

Kinchi said though a large number of people would be arriving in Dimapur, everything would be fine if the people are disciplined and advised them not to panic.

Appreciating to the commissioner of police for successfully implementing the innovative idea of “odd and even number” traffic regulation, he said the traffic in Dimapur has been controlled to a large extent.

Tetseo emphasized on the important role of religious institutions in educating the people not to be panicky and offering healing touch and prayer support at this critical juncture.

He said many stranded people are and would be arriving without proper food, depressed and worn out. So, the spiritual healing through the church would ease their emotional stress to some extent.

Dr Pongener reminded that the only defence against the coronavirus is the three rules of wearing masks, hand hygiene and social distancing.

Bhadra Gogoi is Northeast Now Correspondent in Nagaland. He can be reached at: [email protected]