The local populace at the foothills of Mt. Koubru had expressed their apprehension at the huge visitors to the sacred site at this alarming Covid situation while the Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association also made an appeal to stop trekking
TFM Representative, Kangpokpi
The Thadou Inpi Kangpokpi district implored the state government and the district administration to bar trekking at Mt Koubru following detection of a trekker infected with the COVID-19.
A 23-year-old man from Khonghampat Awang Leikai, who was among the trekkers of Mt Koubru on April 27, was tested positive on April 29 at CMC Korengei.
It may be recalled that hundreds of people on a daily basis had scaled Mt Koubru to pay obeisance to Lord Koubru since April 21 under the aegis of various valley based civil society organisations.
The local populace at the foothills of Mt. Koubru had also expressed their apprehension at the huge visitors to the sacred site at this alarming Covid situation while the Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association also made an appeal to stop trekking.
The Thadou Inpi Kangpokpi district said that the detection of a positive case among the trekkers is a matter of concern for the public while adding that several appeals were made to avoid such gatherings.
It also stated that when the state is at an alarming situation, the scene at the peak of Mt. Koubru looks as if a mammoth conference has been organised to convert the sacred peak as the hotbed for the dreaded COVID-19.
It continued that although pilgrims for religious purposes at Mt. Koubru has never been restricted, the various viral post floating the social media platform showcasing various sports activities are more for fun and entertainment, etc. while the spreading lies in social media with discrimination and communal derogatory words has been uncalled for and it is a matter of concerned for various CSOs who burn the midnight oil in maintaining peaceful atmosphere.
It is very unfortunate that when the world is fighting for containment of the Corona pandemic certain individuals having vested interest in the name of religion disregard the prohibitory orders clamped by the state Government by camping at the Koubru hill while the lack of action on the part of the district administration showed that it has been hand in gloves with the campers.
Meanwhile, Kangpokpi police as part of imparting awareness on the SOPs and guidelines of COVID especially among the trekkers of Mt. Koubru, put up various banners with COVID awareness messages such as ‘Always wear masks and follow COVID-19 SOPs’, ‘Don’t litter Keep Mt. Koubru neat and clean’ at the top of the peak and all entry points of Mt. Koubru.
As trekkers continue to flock Mt. Koubru, Kangpokpi Police teams led by Addl.SP(Ops), Addl.SP(LO), DSP, and other subordinate officials also continued to monitored the movement of trekkers at various locations at Damdei, Kholep, Mangjol, etc. while registering entry of trekkers going up and coming down apart from enforcing COVID appropriate behaviours.