Is Manipur certified COVID-19 free, asks Ibobi

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 12: Taking serious note of the assembly of thousands of people at different market places during the brief hours of lockdown relaxation yesterday during which  all social distancing norms and directions were thrown down the ditch, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and ex-Chief Minister Okram Ibobi asked under whose advice the Government relaxed the lockdown in the name of Easter Sunday and Cheiraoba festivals.
He asked if the State has been certified COVID-19 free.
Speaking to media persons at his Babupara quarters today, Ibobi pointed out that COVID-19 is a global health issue and a critical one. The situation demands everyone to join hands and fight the pandemic collectively.
All these days, Congress party has been extending physical as well as moral support to the different measures taken up by the Government to control and contain COVID-19. But there are times when Congress party is compelled to speak out its minds instead of just toeing the Government’s line, Ibobi said.
All the people of Manipur were confined to their homes for two weeks  to save lives, he said while appealing to all the people to suspend religious functions and mass gatherings during the lockdown period.   
Church authorities appealed all followers of Christianity to celebrate Easter Sunday at home instead of congregating at Churches.
However, after keeping all the people under complete lockdown for two weeks, thousands of people were allowed to mingle at different market places as the lockdown was relaxed for several hours yesterday in the name of Easter Sunday and Cheiraoba, Ibobi decried.
He then asked under whose advice the lockdown was relaxed.
He went on to ask if the lockdown was relaxed at the advice and claim of Medical Department that Manipur is free from COVID-19.
The ex-Chief Minister further asked, “Who was the man who advised the State Cabinet to relax the lockdown in the name of Easter Sunday and Cheiraoba ? Who will take responsibility if there were some COVID-19 infected persons among the thousands of persons who came  out yesterday?”
Questioning the Government’s policy on tackling the pandemic, Ibobi again asked as to why the lockdown was relaxed when Chief Minister N Biren was saying that the lockdown needed to be extended.
Confining the whole population of the State to their homes for two weeks has been rendered meaningless by relaxing the lockdown for several hours yesterday. The way the incumbent Government has been ruling the State appears rather whimsical as well as farcical, Ibobi remarked.
In the absence of any medicine for treating  COVID-19, the only way to save oneself from the highly contagious virus is to stay home and keep social distance.
China’s Wuhan which was the first epicentre of COVID-19 was re-opened gradually after the virus was effectively contained following two months of complete lockdown, Ibobi said. As such, lockdown is the only effective way to control and contain COVID-19, he continued.
Questioning if the countrywide lockdown has been relaxed in any other State, Ibobi asserted that Congress party cannot remain silent in the face of the incumbent Government’s knee-jerk reactions and whimsical nature of running State affairs.
It is rather distasteful to hear that those arrested for shipping in huge consignment of betel leaves by air after registering an FIR have been released on bail.
It is quite shameful that some shops of Imphal have been burgled amid the lockdown notwithstanding the Government’s claim of improved law and order, Ibobi remarked.
Highlighting the latest incident of vandalising several houses by a group of people at Andro, the ex-Chief Minister asked whether the State’s law and order situation has improved in reality.
The Government must work out a mechanism under which all essential items can be delivered to all the people during the lockdown. Essential commodities should not be politicised, he continued.
Ibobi said that everyone must appreciate and encourage all those fighting against COVID-19 at the forefront particularly doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and police. The ex-Chief Minister, nonetheless, hailed the State Government for giving a reward of Rs 35 lakh to the JNIMS doctors and their team who successfully treated the State’s first COVID-19 patient.
CWC Member Gaikhangam, MLA DK Korungthang, K Govindas, K Meghachandra and Kh Joykisan were also present at the press meet.