Pandemic coronavirus issue has indeed haunted people across the world. Every country across the globe have taken up extra measures to avoid the spread of virus by framing their policy. India is no exception, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led NDA government is taking up extra measures to avoid the spread of the disease through various means and advice all states and Union Territories to take up extra measures in addition to the health advisory from the concern department. The pandemic COVID -19 is becoming a serious issue of the world and recent measures being taken up by the state government of Manipur need to be appreciated. Even though the kind of precautionary measures sees some loophole, the effort needs to be appreciated by one and all. At this crucial hour criticism is not a good idea instead , people who felt that more measures need to be taken up should suggest through proper channel. After all the Chief Minister of Manipur had already opens his door to welcome any constructive suggestion to fight the disease. Well it is the blessing of the almighty that Manipur still have no positive case of person infected by the disease.
Now what we in the Imphal Times would like to suggest is to conduct mass testing of blood sample as there are possibilities of persons with the virus as WHO had stated person with the virus showed symptoms after 14 days. Those screen at Imphal Airport or any land route entry need to be quarantined for at least 14 days by distancing him or her from people, be it his or her family members.
When schools and colleges have been shut down till March 31 and when offices are advised to reduce staff attendance and when all sort of gathering in connection with festival or rituals have been directed to stop, what worried to almost all the people of the state is the suffocated Khwairambandh Kwithel, which is being run by elderly women. According to WHO elderly people are easily attack by the dreaded virus and as a matter of fact people who have some idea of the virus have been appealing the government to focus at this area.
It was lucky for the people of the state that, Chief Minister himself visited the market areas of Imphal particularly the surroundings of the Khwairambandh Keithel instead of sending his staffs.
He was there yesterday to do something for avoiding the spread of virus but one never expected that the vendor lady will be convinced to shut down the Keithel for at least 3 days.
COVID scare indeed turn out to be another blessing for the people of the state as well as the fate of the historic Khwairambandh Ima Keithel.
Chief Minister himself notice the irresponsible attitude of both the MAHUD and the IMC authority. The filth garbage piling up in and around the Khwairambandh Ima Keithel and the irregular traffic parking system and the failed drainage were not simple make up complaints to defame his government. The Chief Minister had known that as he had seen it.
A day after his visit and after the vendor ladies extended their co-operation to his government to shut down the Keithel for three days, IMC and MAHUD today started cleaning the surroundings of the Khwairambandh Keithel. Police team were also encouraged with the kind of support they received from the public. City Police OC along with his higher officials , the Additional SP, SDP traffic all were seen engaging in their work – but this time it was about keeping the surroundings of Khwairambandh Ima Keithel. The city police OC collected dozens of Phenyl bottles and Bleaching powders to kill any sort of virus or bacteria or say any worms that have the potential of affecting people. Today we saw Khwairambandh Keithel area and its periphery clean. But what is expected is to continue the kind of activities even after issue of coronavirus is over.
This newspaper suggest Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to visit Khwairambandh Keithel at least once in a week if possible, or at least once in two weeks to personally find out whether the complaints from the public are true or not. Lets’ hope the COVID-19 scar change Manipur by making it the most clean city in the world.
