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Covid-19 infection is rising in rural areas of Manipur due to lack of awareness, inadequate infrastructure and failure to follow COVID SOPs: Health Director Dr K. Rajo
Health Services Director Doctor K. Rajo has highlighted the plights facing health and other relevant officials in administering COVID-19 Vaccine to inhabitants residing in far-flung areas of Manipur. Briefing media on the current status of covid-19 pandemic in Manipur at the Medical Directorate in Lamphel, today, Doctor K. Rajo said, Government is leaving no stone unturned in reaching out covid vaccination drive to beneficiaries in every nook and corner of the state, but bad road connectivity, shortage of man power and lack of awareness on the benefits of COVID-19 vaccine are major stumbling blocks.
Dr. K.,Rajo also informed that efforts are on to increase the number of Community quarantine centres in the State. He said, community halls and schools will be converted into quarantine centres if required. He reminded that as per the Government's order issued on July 26, meals are being provided to inmates of covid care centres in the state. Stating that Government is carrying out mass awareness on covid appropriate behaviours, vaccination drive and mass covid testing on war footing in the State, the health director appealed for public support in fighting covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking further, the Health Directior highlighted the current status of COVID-19 Situation in Manipur. He said, covid-19 infection is gradually declining in the urban areas of Manipur while it is steadily increasing in the rural areas. Dr K. Rajo cited lack of awareness and failure to maintain COVID-appropriate behaviours as reasons behind the surging COVID-19 infection rate in rural areas. He also informed that in the past 10 days, covid infection is highest in Imphal West District followed by Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal District. While in the Hill districts, Churachandpur has the highest infection rate followed by Chandel, Kangpokpi and Noney District. While, covid fatality rate in the state stands average compared to the last highest number of deaths.
Dr. K Rajo also said that Manipur has so far logged 7 Black Fungus cases out of which two patients have died and 5 are undergoing treatment. The Health Director assured that State Government is making all out efforts to pay extra service pay and other due incentives to health workers including doctors and nurses. He also expressed sadness that two doctors in Manipur have succumbed to COVID-19 and informed that their families have been provided an Ex-Gratia amount of 50 lakh rupees each by the Government. Dr Rajo called for collective efforts of health professionals, government and the public in battling COVID-19 Pandemic.
Anti Smuggling Unit, Customs Division Imphal seizes Brown Sugar worth around Rs. 8 Crores in the International Market
Illegal activities such as drug smuggling continue even during the coronavirus induced lockdown in Manipur.
Anti Smuggling Unit, Customs Division Imphal team has seized a huge consignment of Brown Sugar, worth around 8 Crore Rupees in the International Market. 31-Year-Old Md. Tamijur Rahaman, son of Md Abdul Rahaman was caught ferrying the contraband items in a Tata Truck bearing Nagaland registration number - NL-01-I-89-66 on July 29.
Acting on a tip-off, the team recovered the drugs during a frisking operation in Mantripukhi area last evening. According to Custom officials, the contraband drugs weighing 8kg 800 grams were concealed in 11 different packets.
Custom Division Imphal has registered a case against Md. Tamijur Rahaman under ND & PS Act, 1985 for necessary actions.
Shocking as it is, curfew violators attacked Police at Khurai Heigrumakhong early this morning. Three police personnel of Imphal East District sustained injuries in the scuffle. One Gypsy vehicle of Imphal East Police Commando was also damaged in the incident. Heingang police has arrested 40 suspects for interrogation.
Scuffles occured between police and curfew violators at Khurai Heigrumakhong around 6AM today. Conflicts reportedly occurred in connection with the July 20 incident when a police team led by Imphal East SP N. Herojit drove back curfew violators to their respective homes using loudspeakers at Khurai Heigrumakhong. It maybe mentioned that one police personnel sustained injuries in the incident. Police today rushed at the venue to arrest a miscreant allegedly involved in the July 20 incident.
Additional SP Imphal East Moirangmayum Bishworjit told Impact News that when the police team approached, they came across curfew violators at Khomidok market and when the police got tough on them, the violators started pelting stones towards them. Police resorted to tear gas shelling and smoke bombing to contain the situation. Heingang Police Station OC, Imphal East Commando OC and driver of the damaged police Gypsy sustained injuries in the scuffle.
A team including District Magistrate and SP Imphal East N. Herojit has rushed to the site and took stock of the situation. Police has arrested 40 people for interrogation in connection with today’s incident. They are under the custody of Heingang Police Station as of filing this report. Police has condemned such unruly behaviour and appealed to the public to abide by the coronavirus induced lockdown to curb further spread of covid-19 infection in the state.
Govt assures adequate fertilisers but farmers get none
Farmers in Manipur continue to face unavailability of fertilisers despite assurances and tall claims about availability of adequate fertilisers in the state by Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren, Agriculture Minister Oinam Lukhoi and other relevant leaders.
State Agriculture Minister Oinam Lukhoi and Agriculture Director have reportedly assured of providing fertilisers to farmers of Kumbi Setupur in Bishnupur District but they are yet to get the same till date. Farmers are getting worried as the paddy plantation season is right about now.
Speaking on behalf of the distraught farmers today, Executive Member of Gram Sabha Committee, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh Manipur Prant, Bishnupur District cum National Awardee Kh. Samusaba Meitei expressed worry that many farmers are yet to start paddy plantation due to late onset of monsoon this year. He said, some farmers with much difficulty started paddy transplantation in some fields but the lack of fertilisers is a worrying issue at the moment.
Kh. Samusaba Meitei appealed to the Government, the Agriculture Department and other authorities concerned to take stock of the situation and ease paddy cultivation to avoid scarcity of rice in the future. He warned of intense agitations if their demand is not met.
No death among those infected with coronavirus after full vaccination: JNIMS
Director of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences JNIMS - Professor Dr. Laishram Deben has informed that as per a study carried out by JNIMS, there is no report of death among those infected with coronavirus after getting both doses of covid-19 vaccine till date. He has called for timely testing and vaccination to ward off the disease. Dr. L Deben also stressed on the need for collective efforts by Health Professionals, Government and the public in controlling further spread of Covid-19 pandemic in the State. He urged everyone to follow COVID appropriate behaviours to combat coronavirus which is airborne.
Speaking to media at JNIMS Hospital in Porompat today, Dr L. Deben said that the state Government has clamped statewide total curfew to break the chain of Covid-19 infection. He went on to say that, doctors and nurses are tirelessly giving treatment to covid patients admitted at the general ward, ICU and post covid wards of the hospital. He also asserted that around 240 covid patients are being treated at the 190 bedded General ward of JNIMS.
Dr L. Deben informed that anyone can get free Covid-19 test at JNIMS Hospital on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with prior registration while, casualty ward patients can get covid-19 test in the hospital 24 hours a day. He also urged people to get proper treatment at Government run Covid care centres, if they don't have proper home isolation facilities.
DISQUALIFICATION CASE OF BJP MLAs
The Supreme Court postpones hearing on Disqualification case of 12 BJP MLAs on account of holding ‘Office of profit’ for one week; EC's opinion on the case reportedly apprised to Governor's Secretary on January 14, 2021
In today's hearing, respondents stated that the Election Commission of India, ECI has already given its opinion on the Disqualification Case to Manipur Governor's Secretary on January 14 this year. However, the petitioner's counsel claimed that the Governor has still not decided and that there is no point in going back to the Governor to decide if they have not decided in six months. According to the petitioner, the Election Commission has a constitutional duty to give it's opinion to the Governor of Manipur and failure to discharge the constitutional duty by a constitutional authority cannot be sustained. The Court ordered to set a deadline for the Governor's Secretary to inform the Governor about the EC's opinion.
It maybe mentioned that the Government of Manipur had enacted the Manipur Parliamentary Secretary (Appointment, Salary and Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2012, enabling the Chief Minister to appoint Members of Manipur Legislative Assembly as Parliamentary Secretary with the status and rank of a Minister of a State. In 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that the scheme of Article 194 does not expressly authorize the State legislature to create an office such as that of the Parliamentary Secretary. Subsequently, Manipur Government passed the Manipur Parliamentary Secretary (Appointment, Salary And Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Repealing Act, 2018. The Manipur Parliamentary Secretary (Appointment, Salary and Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2012, and the Manipur Parliamentary (Appointment, Salary and Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Repealing Act, 2018 ceased to exist after the Manipur High Court pronounced them invalid and unconstitutional in a judgment on September 17, 2020.
After the High Court declared these Acts void ab initio, Congress MLAs of Manipur had approached Governor Dr Najma Heptulla seeking disqualification of the 12 BJP MLAs on account of holding the position of parliamentary secretaries, which qualified as 'office of profit'. The Governor then forwarded necessary documents and sought the EC's opinion on the matter in October last year. After much waiting, Congress MLA DD Thaisii had filed a writ petition to the Supreme court seeking the EC's opinion on the case.
DESAM demands regular Principals in 24 Government Colleges & 6 Aided Colleges and Rationalisation of both Teaching & Non-Teaching Staff to enhance Higher Education Sector in Manipur
Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur, DESAM draws the State Government's attention towards two actionable activities that will increase the efficiency of collegiate education within a short period with high return. It urges the Government for prompt appointment of regular Principals in those Government colleges requiring the same and rationalisation of both teaching and non-teaching staff of Government Colleges to make way for the best, motivated, and capable faculties within a very short period.
DESAM urges the Government to introduce some major activities in view of the National Education Policy, 2020 (NEP-2020) to bring quality higher education in Manipur with an aim to develop good, thoughtful, well-rounded, and creative people. It points out that only few subjects have high or proper teacher:student ratio, many government colleges have low or inappropriate teacher:student ratio, there is evidence of high variation of non-teaching staff from one college to another and that rationalisation is required for librarian and other staff in co-curricular activities. DESAM reminds about the leadership role of College Principals. The students' union says that only 15 government colleges have regular Principals appointed for a tenure of only 5 years and that some are Principal-in-Charge for more than 23 years without any fixed tenure.
In a video release today, DESAM Secretary General Leishangthem Lamyanba expresses concerns about the huge disparity in enrollment percentage of students in colleges across the State. He says that popular colleges face admission rush while less popular colleges have few students applying for admission. Lamyanba also mentions that owing to the pandemic many students have now opted to study in the state instead of colleges in other parts of the country and with high pass percentage of students in the recently declared class 12 exams, there will be many students seeking admission in the state. Lamyanba stresses on the need for rationalisation of both teaching and non-teaching staff of government colleges to reform Higher Education Sector in the state. He also urges the relevant authorities to appoint regular principals in 24 government colleges and 6 Government aided colleges in the State immediately.
The student leader recalls that DESAM had already submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and the Education Minister about these issues, and they have given assurances to look into the matter.
