MHRC directs daily briefings on COVID-19
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 15 2020: On recommendations and suggestions of its core groups, the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has directed Government to hold daily media briefing on COVID-19 so that public are well informed about the disease, its status and measures being taken up in the State to contain the virus.

The Commission was acting on suggestions submitted by MHRC Core Groups convenor Basantakumar Wareppa after an emergency joint meeting held yesterday at the chamber of Acting Chairperson of the commission, Khaidem Mani.

The commission core groups consist of MHRC Core Group on NGOs and HRDs and MHRC Core Group on Women.

Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department and Special Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur should hold daily joint media briefing about the present condition/status and pro-active measures taken up by the Government.

They should take necessary action for the same within 5 days and compliance report should be sent to the commission on or before May 20, directed the MHRC.

The MHRC Core Groups had lamented that various official websites of the Government including Health Department provide "limited or no information" about COVID-19 .

To uphold and enforce right to health and right to information and remove apprehension among the public due to lack of COVID-19 information and status report, the commission should direct the authorities concerned to hold daily press briefings, suggested the MHRC Core Groups.

With the core groups informing that more than 30,000 stranded people have applied for evacuation to Manipur, the MHRC, considering the necessity and risks involved in bringing back the stranded natives, directed the Health Department to keep those arrived from different zones-Red, Orange and Green in separate quarantine centres.

The core group had raised apprehension that mixing all those who have arrived from different zones may increase the chances of transmission if any asymptomatic person is found positive for COVID-19 in the quarantine centres.

Further, in order to avoid confusion and inconveniences, the returnees should be informed of the community quarantine centre they have been allotted in advance and provided necessary transportation, said the MHRC adding one responsible officer from civil administration should be deputed to each community quarantine centre with immediate effect and District Magistrates/Deputy Commissioners of all districts should take up necessary action for the same.

The Director General of Police should take up all necessary actions to effect the directions of the MHRC and submit compliance report on or before May 20, added the Commission.

The core groups raised issues about reported "inhuman" treatment towards the returnees, hardship they face at various checkpoints and also reported lack of adequate healthcare workers at the community quarantine centres.

It may be mentioned that MHRC Acting Chairperson, Khaidem Mani had earlier stated that the Commission will be conducting random inspections to ensure proper functioning of the quarantine centres.

Comment