Imphal, 20 September 2020 (Evening News ) : Six Student bodies—AMSU, DESAM, KSA, AIMS, MSF and SUK have condemned Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren of violating COVID-19 related SOPs during By-Poll rallies. Representatives of the Six Student bodies carried out a protest demonstration at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai Community hall today reiterating to fulfil their 12 points charter of demands. Taking part in the protest meet, SUK President N. Dhanakumar appealed to the government to stop blaming the public for failing to abide by COVID-19 related SOPs when the Chief Minister himself has flouted the SOPs during political functions in connection with the upcoming by-election, attended by thousands of people. He alleged the government of not being dedicated and sincere enough in fighting COVID-19 pandemic.  Dhanakumar accused the BJP led State Government of being more interested in saving the government by getting more involved in the upcoming by-election than saving its citizens from the pandemic. The SUK President warned of intense agitations if the government failed to fulfil their 12 points charter of demands which includes setting up of a 500 bedded Hospital dedicated for COVID-19 patients, to form a concrete state policy to combat COVID-19 pandemic and to reserve either RIMS or JNIMS Hospital for the treatment of Non-Covid Patients.

Imphal, 19 September 2020 ( Evening News ) : Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren has expressed concerns that there is possible evidence of Community Transmission in the State. He disclosed that discussions are underway to impose Complete Shutdown in the State in wake of the surging COVID-19 positive cases. Speaking on the sidelines of the 222nd Death Anniversary observance of Shree Shree Rajarshi Bhagyachandra at Shree Shree Govindaji Temple in Palace Compound today, Chief Minister N. Biren expressed disappointment that people are seemingly less bothered about following COVID-19 SOPs. Stating that the situation in the past few days is quite alarming in the State, he informed that the Government has identified High Risk areas and the pockets, which are severely affected. He said that the State Government has started imposing lockdown in COVID -19 Containment Zones as a part of the stricter measures to combat the pandemic. Biren disclosed that he chaired a meeting of experts yesterday with regards to imposition of Complete Lockdown in the State. Asserting that imposing Total Lockdown will hamper the State’s economy, Biren mentioned that the State Chief Secretary has already sought advice from the Centre for the same. He added that the State Government along with Local Clubs and other CSOs are carrying out COVID-19 awareness mass drives. He urged the public to stay aware of the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the State and appealed to cooperate and abide by the guidelines & SOPs issued by the State Government and Health Department at all times to ward off COVID-19.

Imphal, 18 October 2020 ( Evening News ) : Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume, Gavi and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will accelerate the manufacture and delivery of up to 200 million to 300 million doses of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for India and low-and middle-income countries by December. Executive Director of Serum Institute of India, Dr.Suresh Jadhav said that India may get COVID-19 vaccine by March 2021 with approval from the Drug Control General of India (DCGI) and provided the regulators signal with the processes fast as multiple manufacturers are working on it. It may be mentioned that SIL CEO Adar Poonawala Serum had earlier said that SIL can produce 700 to 800 million vaccine dosages every year once things are streamlined. Pune-based pharmaceutical company, SIL signed a deal with Malinda Gates Foundation and Gavi Vaccine Alliance to make over 200 million COVID 19 vaccine doses available for poorer countries, including India, to be priced at a maximum of 3 dollars each, which is 220.33 Indian Rupees. It may be mentioned that the phase- three or the last stage of clinical trial of the Covid-19 vaccine 'COVI-SHIELD', being developed by Oxford University, and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) is currently underway.

Imphal, 17 October 2020 (Evening News ) : General Secretary of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah)- Thuinganglen Muivah has declared that there will be no compromise on the NSCN (I-M)’s demand for a Naga flag and Naga constitution. The NSCN (IM) General Secretary said the same during a 55 minute interview with ‘The Wire’ yesterday. Thuingaleng Muivah reiterated that Nagas will never be part of the Indian Union nor will they accept the Indian constitution. He added that those Naga National Political Groups or Civil Society organisations, who are not insisting on a separate flag and constitution, are traitors. Muivah also accused Indo-Naga Peace Talks Interlocutor RN Ravi of betraying NSCN (IM) and acting at the behest of the Union Home Ministry. Upon being asked if NSCN (IM) will wage war against the Indian Government if Naga Peace Talks collapse, Muivah responded that the same question should be asked to the Indian government. It maybe mentioned that on October 15, all Naga National Political Groups and Naga Civil Society Groups unanimously passed a resolution to support the ongoing talks in ‘one voice’. The resolution, however, was quiet on the NSCN (I-M)’s demand for a separate flag.

Imphal, 11 September 2020 ( Evening News ) : Congress MLA K. Ranjit said Congress party can overpower the BJP led Government at any moment. However, Congress did not take up such step over possible implementation of President Rule by the central government and subside various prevailing major issues in the state against the interest of people. He was speaking at the reception programme of new Congress entrants from BJP held at Kakching Khunou Municipal Council’s ward no. 7 today. Speaking at the event, MLA K. Ranjit said that various MLAs of the government appealed the Congress party to form a new government in the recent Minister Reshuffle. However, Congress did not accept the proposal considering the interest of people. He added, if Congress ever accepted the proposal to be part of the Government, PR might have imposed in the state and various critical issues like Frame work Agreement, Delimitation and others might get concluded against the interest of people.