Mizoram seeks PM's intervention to resolve medicine crisis amid economic blockade

Aizawl: Amid severe shortage of life saving and Covid-19 related drugs due to the "economic blockade" on the National Highway-306, the Mizoram Health Minister has sought the immediate intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home and Health Ministers.

Lalthangliana wrote separate letters to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Health Minister detailing the medicine crisis due to the "economic blockade" on the National Highway-306, which connects the hilly state with the rest of the country via Assam.

Following the border dispute and clash on July 26, the Assam government on July 29 had summoned all the transporters (in Guwahati) who have been operating between the two states to stop transporting any goods into Mizoram due to "security concerns".This led to a complete halt of any type of goods coming to the state including basic medicines, life-saving medicines and Covid-19 medicines as well.

"Even oxygen cylinders, oxygen plant materials, and Covid-19 test kits have been blocked," Lalthangliana said.

"The basic fundamental right to life as guaranteed by the Indian constitution which includes the right to basic health care and medicines have been denied by the belligerent activities of the Assam government," Lalthangliana added.

He also accused the central government of not taking any action on the matter despite having endured this problem for almost a week now.

"Every citizen of this country has the right to medical care and medicines and denial of this right is contrary to the basic laws of this country. No citizen of Mizoram should lose his or her life because of the non-availability of medicines which are man-made as is being done by the Assam government," the Minister added.

Meanwhile, Mizoram Chief Secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo said that the state government had taken up the issue of "economic blockade" with the Union Home Ministry. "We have understood that the MHA would be able to convince the Assam government to lift the blockade in southern Assam.

"Mizoram's 95 per cent supplies come through the National Highway-306, which is the lifeline for our state," he told the media.

In a letter to Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Home Secretary Pi Lalbiaksangi also requested that the Centre may intervene and instruct the Assam government to take necessary action for the immediate removal of the blockade.