Khwairamband Keithel bears deserted look following Government's order
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 21 2020:
Following the order issued by the State Government yesterday to close down the main Ima markets of the State for five days in light of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, Khwairamband Keithel bore a deserted look with not even a single vendor in view.
During a trip by The Sangai Express to Khwairamband Keithel, no one could be seen from the early morning in the normally bustling and crowded market.
Speaking to the paper, Imphal West Additional SP (Law & Order) A Ghanashyam, who was on duty at the scene, said that COVID-19 has become a global pandemic and the State Government is facing a great challenge in undertaking the necessary precautions and preparations needed to ensure the virus do not spread here.
Informing that the Government is doing all that it can, he appealed to all the women vendors to offer full cooperation to the 5 days total shutdown of the market imposed by the State Government.
The police personnel have also been carrying out their duties in the market area from the early morning today, he conveyed, further lauding the women vendors for acknowledge their important roles in the shutdown to be successful, in the interest of welfare for the whole State.
On the other hand, he explained that police collaborated with the Imphal Municipal Council in cleaning and disinfecting the whole market area today.
IMC has always been tasked with cleaning Khwairamband Keithel but looking after the grave situation in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, IMC and Manipur police worked together and undertook an intense cleaning and disinfection initiative at the market areas today.
IMC and Manipur police personnel were witnessed cleaning the drains around the market and cleaning the area using water tankers and chemicals.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, IMC Assistant Municipal Commissioner Dr Samuel Moirangkhom said that the intensive cleaning regiment has been observed considering the threat posed by COVID-19 pandemic to a small State like Manipur.
He continued that CRED is tasked with cleaning Paona Keithel while Worker Union Manipur (WUM) and TACDEF handle the cleaning work in Thangal Keithel.
They manage waste collection from the shops and houses in the Keithel while IMC handles the waste collection and cleaning of the commercial market areas.
Lauding the Govt's decision to shut down the market area for five days, he said that he plans to propose the Government for ensuring a break for a day every week so that IMC can clean the area properly.
He informed that around 200 sweepers (100 male and 100 females) are working as sweepers under IMC for Khwairamband Keithel.
He then appealed to the women vendors and the shopkeepers of Khwairamband Keithel to ensure that their business areas are kept neat and clean.