MAWKYRWAT: The Khasi Student’s Union (KSU) said that many people, especially in the far flung areas of South West Khasi Hills as well as in Mawsynram Block, do not clearly understand how to protect themselves from the spread of COVID-19. “We feel that it is not right to leave the people in the villages in such confusion,” president of the KSU South West Khasi Hills, Forwardman Nongrem, said.
The union urged upon the district administrations of South West Khasi Hills and East Khasi Hills to send the sector officers to the villages in order to provide clarity or print pamphlets with awareness on COVID-19 and send them to all the villages in the far flung areas of both the districts.
Further, the KSU urged the district administration of South West Khasi Hills as well as the administrative of Mawsynram C&RD Block to once again convene a meeting with different stakeholders including Rangbah Shnong, NGOs, Church elders, among others to discuss on the issue of COVID-19.
“This will help the administration to get better cooperation from all stakeholders in the fight against coronavirus. Besides, it will also help the government to understand better on the problems faced by the people in the villages,” he said.
Taking note of the government’s efforts in sensitising the people on the deadly disease, the union said that the people from rural areas do not properly understand about the symptoms, how to self-quarantine so as to prevent the virus from spreading to the family members and the society and how the people and the village as a whole should respond if there is anyone found to be infected.
The union president also said that the union has already discussed the suggestions with the Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills, Isawanda Laloo.
He also urged upon the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, M War Nongbri and the BDO of Mawsynram C&RD Block to take the suggestions seriously for the benefit of all. He also asked the people not to panic and urged them to work together with the Health department and government in the fight against the pandemic.
