Our Correspondent
Spt/Kpi/CCpur/Tpl/Jiri, Mar 22: In the run-up to Janata Curfew asked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, districts in Manipur , especially Senapati, Churachandpur, Pherzawl, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal and Jiribam were deserted on Sunday as the country of some 1.3 billion people imposed a Nationwide curfew aimed at curbing the spread of the new coronavirus.
Senapati : Senapati Bazar wore a deserted look since early morning today in compliance with the Janata Curfew imposed in the whole country over the spread of COVID-19.
Almost all Churches at Senapati, District Headquarters were closed for the day.
Mention may be made that All Manipur Christian Organization (AMCO) had earlier directed all Priests, Pastors and Church leaders to suspend the Sunday worship services on the day as a preventive measure to avoid the spread of pandemic novel coronavirus in the Country.
The order also mentioned any individual to come to Church for prayer in private for victims and eradication of COVID-19. Accordingly, different Church's Pastors and Deacon Boards under Senapati Karong Area Baptist Union (SKABU) had an emergency meeting on March 21 and decided to cancel the combine worship services on the day.
All business establishments, vehicular movements including private or commercial remained closed at the district headquarters while the number of pedestrians were also very few compared to other days.
By 5 pm, people of Senapati came out of their house veranda with sounding of siren/clapping/beating of vessels to acknowledge the work done by medical staff, police, Govt servants, airline staff, media personnel who have been working to check the spread of the pandemic.
The District Administration had earlier imposed CrPC 144 in the whole district forbidding gathering of more than 4 persons or more to avoid spreading of the pandemic. However, Government agencies involving the law enforcing agency are not covered by the restriction.
In this regard, Senapati DC Somorjit Salam appealed all to confine in their houses and not gather in groups to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
Moreover, the Special Secretary (Home), Govt of Manipur in exercise of power under Section 8 and 9 of the Manipur Epidemic Diseases, COVOD-19 Regulations, 2020 had issued an order to all persons who were outside the country from Janaury 1, 2020 to February 29, 2020, and those who entered Manipur after March 1, 2020 to contact the given nos. (8787608315/9856174524/8256921124/7085455675) of the Home Department and also to submit information at (
[email protected]) before March 24.
CCpur: The District Magistrate Churachandpur and Pherzawl have separately clamped 144 CrPC in the two districts effectively prohibiting assembly of four or more persons outside of their residences.
The prohibitory orders issued separately by Pawan Yadav, DM Churachandpur and Mannuamching, DM Pherzawl came within hours of the Chief Minister N Biren Singh announcing his intention to utilize the restriction law retained from the colonial era to curb public gathering in the State to thwart the imminent threat posed by the spread of COVID-19.
With the prohibitory order overlapping the Janata Curfew already announced by the Prime Minister, streets of Churachandpur wore a deserted look.
Most of the Churches in the district closed their doors, though it is a Sunday. Few Churches that were reportedly opted to continue too, have cancelled further gathering following the promulgation of 144 CrPC.
Meanwhile, personnel of BSF and Assam Rifles led in paying tributes, as called by the Prime Minister, to people who are at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19.
Sounds of Sirens, drums, thali, and handclaps are intermittently audible by 5 pm as the Deputy Commissioner Churachandpur has issued a mid-day circular calling for the same to give respect and salute the health workers, doctors, nurses, hospital staff, sanitation workers, airline employees, Government staff, police personnel, media people, people associated with train-bus-auto rickshaw services etc who are at the forefront of containing the pandemic.
The circular issued by Pawan Yadav also noted that Churachandpur public showed enormous restraint and the public curfew was well observed.
With restrictions standing galore, the MSPDCL Churachandpur Division has also issued a public notice advising consumers to opt for electronic means to pay their electricity bills or recharge their electric meters.
Accordingly, postpaid and prepaid consumers were also advised to make payment of their electricity bills at (http://billing.mspdcl.info) and (www.mspdcl.com) respectively.
Kangpokpi: Kangpokpi DHQs on Sunday looks deserted as the people observed self-imposed quarantine for 14 hours extending support towards the Government in combating the spread of highly contagious coronavirus.
The otherwise crowded Churches in town on Sunday also wore a deserted look as all worship services were put on hold and people remained indoors following the Prime Minister appealed to observed ‘Janata Curfew’ today.
The relentless efforts of the District Administration, like-minded local individuals and local civil bodies succeeded in convincing the people to observe the Janata Curfew with the sole aim to combat the pandemic.
The Kangpokpi Town Committee and Kangpokpi Town Churches Fellowship in its emergency joint meeting yesterday decided to put on hold all the Sunday worship services. However, some Churches were opened for individual prayer.
The self-imposed quarantine or ‘Janata Curfew’ begin at 7 am continue till 9 pm. Public transport was curtailed and all markets and shops were closed.
At around 5 pm, sounds of clapping hands, ringing bells, fire brigade siren echoed the town as the people expressed their gratitude to all unsung heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic and lauded those who were providing service during these dire times.
Some family member was seen standing and clapping their hands at their respective residence porch while some made sounds using utensils.
Meanwhile, the District Magistrate of Kangpokpi, Lalithambigai Kalidas, who is also the Deputy Commissioner of the district in exercise of power conferred upon her under section 144 of CrPC 1973, prohibited the assembly of 4 (four) or more persons and movement of more persons outside their respective residences from 2 pm till March 31 in the district.
However, Government agencies involved in the enforcement of law and order, medical and health services and provision, supply or maintenance of essential services while any pre-planned congregation/ sudden unforeseen congregation of any nature shall be conducted only with the prior approval of District Magistrate, Kangpokpi, the order stated.
On the other hand, given the direction issued by Government of Manipur in connection with a preventive measure against the outbreak of COVID-19, Kangpokpi Town market (Nute Kailhang), Saparmeina market, Kalapahar market, Motbung market and Saikul Hill Town market were closed since March 21 for five days.
The order issued by District Magistrate, Kangpokpi also included vegetable market, temporary market and all kinds of street vendors in the district.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Kangpokpi calls an emergency meeting of DDMA, Kangpokpi and Committee for Formulation of Preventive and Intervention strategies to control the spread of COVID-19 tomorrow at the Conference Hall of DC Kangpokpi.
Jiribam/Moreh: Janata Curfew was fully supported by the populace of Jiribam district and Moreh too.
Personnel of Tengnoupal police, Manipur Rifles and Indian Reserved Battalion clapped hands to thank the staff of Medical Department who are working relentlessly to check the spread of novel coronavirus in the State at Inspection Bungalow of Moreh Police, today at around 5 pm.
To show gratitude to the selfless service of the medical staff, Moreh police also blew siren in Moreh Town.
Passenger and private vehicles, except those which carry oil and LPG were restricted from entering the State at Jiribam gate.
It is reported that a quarantine facility and isolation ward have also been opened at 50-beded hospital located at Uchathol, Jiribam.