A nine-member delegation of the Joint Committee for Public Awareness on COVID-19 constituted by the state government on Thursday visited Churachandpur. The delegates inspected several quarantine centres and interacted with inmates.
The delegates comprising of representatives from various civil bodies of the state such as CCSK; Kuki Inpi, Manipur (KIM); UCM; AMUCO; UNC; HERICOUN; LIPUL; MMWO; Zeliangrong Baudi; etc. held a joint meeting with local civil body leaders and officials of Churachandpur District Administration at DTC Hall, Tuibong.
Local CVO leaders and officials of the district highlighted several problems they are confronted with in running and managing quarantine centres as part of the fight against COVID-19. Urgent need for COVID-19 testing centre at Churachandpur District Hospital, insurance for CVO volunteers at the frontline, shortage of funding, lack of ambulance and shortage of nurses and paramedics are some of the problems raised at the meeting.
Taking cognizance of the grievances highlighted during the interaction programme, the visiting team assured of taking up the matter to the government for immediate redressal. At the same time, the meeting also decided to strengthen cooperation between the local CVOs and the district administration in the fight against the global COVID-19 pandemic. The visiting team was impressed by the close coordination between the Churachandpur district administration and the civil bodies engaged in the field.
The meeting was attended by the deputy commissioner Pawan Yadav; superintendent of police Amrita Sinha, additional deputy commissioner and nodal officer for COVID-19, Thangboi Gangte, additional SP Shivanand Surve, CMO Churachandpur Vumchinpau; SDOs and other DLOs.
Later, the team along with the DC and SP inspected quarantine centres at St Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Tuibong; Young Learners School, Zenhang Lamka and BDS Learning Centre, Zenhang Lamka.
While interacting with the inmates KIM representative of the Joint Committee, Khaimang Chongloi told them in no uncertain terms that no misbehaviour or mischief from the part of the inmates would be tolerated. He also added that strict action would be taken up against any mischief-maker in the quarantine centres including a non-bailable jail term.
Khaimang Chongloi said that the government has been doing its best to bring back stranded state natives from different parts of the country due to the COVID-19 induced lockdown. For the safety of all, the returnees have been quarantined at different places. Unfortunately, there have been reports about some inmates breaking extant SOPs and stirring trouble much to the chagrin of the people, Khaimang underscored.
He then urged the inmates to extend maximum cooperation to the authority concerned and ensure the safety of all during their stay in the quarantine centre and the aftermath. The inmates were also reminded of their responsibility towards the state, society, community and family.
It may be mentioned here that the Joint Committee, constituted as per an order issued by the chief secretary on May 26, has been tasked to facilitate greater awareness among the clubs, meira paibis, CVOs and the general public on measures stipulated by competent authorities for containing COVID-19 pandemic and for their effective implementation. The Joint Committee also visited quarantine centres at Sericulture Training Centre, Kwakta and Moirang Multipurpose Higher Secondary School in Bishnupur district.
