CM, IG flag off AR's COVID-19 awareness rally

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 29 : Chief Minister N Biren Singh, along with Major General Alok Naresh, Inspector General Assam Rifles South, flagged-off a mega COVID-19 awareness bike rally organised by IGAR South at Mantripukrhi today. The awareness rally was held as part of the Jan Andolan drive initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 15.
In line with the initiative, the Assam Rifles has also launched week long focussed Jan Andolan drives in various parts of Imphal East, Imphal West and Thoubal districts wherein troops of Assam Rifles are reaching out to the people and spreading awareness about use of face masks, personal hygiene and social distancing protocols, said the PRO of IGAR (South) in a statement today.
The mega bike rally traversed through Imphal and Thoubal districts. There was an overwhelming response from the local population towards the outreach campaign. More than 200 bikers from local bike clubs, the Royal Riders and Royal Motors participated in the rally in a show of solidarity with the Assam Rifles in this noble initiative. The rally covered a distance of over 50 kilometres passing through prominent places and making halts at population centres to educate and spread message on COVID-19.
The rally was also aimed at expressing gratitude to the COVID-19 warriors of Manipur especially the health care professionals of RIMS, JNIMS and other designated COVID care centres.
Before flagging off the rally, the Chief Minister interacted with media persons and addressed the participants. He reaffirmed the commitment of the State and the people to fight against COVID-19 in unison with the Nation. He also thanked Assam Rifles and IGAR South for proactively working towards spreading awareness about COVID-19 in all parts of the State. He also thanked media persons for leading from the front in spreading the awareness about COVID-19.
Major General Alok Naresh, Inspector General Assam Rifles (South) informed the gathering that the rally was the start of a month-long action plan that will be implemented in various parts of Manipur by the units of IGAR (South).
Under the concerted action plan to ensure that Jan Andolan Drive reaches even the remotest of the locations, troops of Assam Rifles are actively engaged in dissemination of awareness literature throughout the State using mediums like banners and posters at public places, distribution of pamphlets and masks and sanitisers etc. Audio announcements in local language are also being made at public places with high footfall to ensure the messages reach maximum people, he said.