TFM conducted a study on the ground on Monday and visited the Khwairamband Keithel and other places. All the places were found jam-packed without masks and casting social-distancing caution to the wind
TFM Report
India has been in the grips of a deadly and devastating second wave of coronavirus wreaking havoc across the country. However, people in Manipur seem indifferent to development. They continue their business as usual, ignoring the severity of the second wave of the pandemic despite spiraling covid positive cases in the state too.
As many as 54 fresh cases were reported in the state on Monday taking the total active cases to 296. The state also recorded one more death raising toll to 377.
The Manipur government issued several orders in the last couple of days in view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the state and the alarming situations in different parts of the country. TFM conducted a check on the ground on Monday and visited the Khwairamband Keithel and other places. All the places were found jam-packed without masks and casting social-distancing caution to the wind.
After the first COVID-19 case was detected in March 2020, it peaked in October 2020 for Manipur. As the number of cases declined, Manipur breathed a sigh of relief and till April 7, 2021, the state was reporting new cases in two digits. Ever since, the state is witnessing a steady increase in the number of new cases.
Ever since the pandemic hit the state, the government has been stressing on maintaining COVID appropriate behaviour like wearing masks, maintaining social distance, etc.
But after more than a year, the ground reality is quite different as people were seen not maintaining SOP different districts including the heart of the capital city of Imphal. In view of this many are apprehensive that the second wave might spread faster in the state.
It was expected that the onset of the second wave might frighten the people and the crowd in and around major markets might be reduced, but that seems not to be the case.
The order issued by the Home Department on Sunday had also included schedules for different shops for Thangal Bazar and Paona Bazar. But on Monday most of the shops were opened and only few were found to be adhering to the state government’s order. And for the roadside vendors, social distancing was nowhere to be seen.
Enforcing agencies like the Manipur police were seen collecting fine as penalty for not wearing masks, amongst others. Apart from this there were hardly any efforts from the concerned authorities to enforce the orders issued by the state government.
The government might issue order after order and frame guidelines. But if they are not enforced efficiently and the people do not follow it, with the seriousness of the situation in mind, the second wave seems imminent to devastate the state.