State BJP to mobilise 10,000 workers to help combat COVID-19
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 03 2020: Appreciating the cooperation, cohesion and support shown by the people of the State so far in the fight against COVID-19, BJP Manipur Pradesh has conveyed that the selfless duties performed by the State's medical professionals and security personnel in such uncertain times is nothing short of heroic.

A statement issued by M Asnikumar, BJP State unit vice president, appealed to the citizens of the State to maintain social distancing and regular hand hygiene to combat the deadly COVID-19.It also appealed to the people to support and co-operate with the Nationwide lockdown and comply with the guidelines and preventive measures laid down by the World Health Organization (WHO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of Manipur and medical experts to fight the deadly disease.

The BJP empathizes with the hardships faced by certain sections of the people of the State due to the lockdown but it is in the interest of general public safety, it added.

On the other hand, pointing out the detailed status of the relief works undertaken by BJP Manipur Pradesh on COVID-19 in Manipur, it informed that till now, four State office bearers' meetings have taken place in presence of State party president K Bhabananda regarding COVID-19 and a 24/7 control room is functioning from the old party head office at Nityaipak Chuthek, Keishampat Imphal.

A monitoring team of party workers led by S Joy Singh, vice president of the BJP State unit, is overseeing the relief work being undertaken by the party as well as the State Government machineries at various levels across the State.

For the 'Feed the Needy' campaign, the party has already decided to mobilize a minimum of 10,000 dedicated karyakartas from across the State and each karyakarta is tasked with supporting one distressed family with essential commodities like rice, dal etc in their respective polling booths on their own.

Till now, 5500 low income households have been covered by the party karyakartas.

This is still in progress and will be accelerated, it mentioned, adding that the BJP has also reached out to shelter homes for the elderly, working women, orphanage, disabled children, destitute and stranded students from far flung areas of the State to provide them with essential commodities and logistical support.

This is being assisted by two vice presidents of the party's State unit, Z Ki-khonbou Newmai and Ben- jamin Mate.

The BJP has also called for 10 volunteers from every mandal to help facilitate distressed fishermen, farmers and livestock owners in taking their products to market in coordination with Government agencies.

This is being undertaken by a five member team under the supervision of Kh Jibon Singh, State secretary, in coordination with State Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister, V Hangkhalian.

Helpline numbers have been opened for 24 hours at district and mandal levels in all the districts and mandals of the State, and masks, hand sanitizers, gloves have been distributed by party karyakartas at State, district, mandal and booth levels in coordination with State Government agencies and local authorities.

It continued that the BJP State unit also offered support and relief to migrant labours; by giving provisions of essential commodities as well as logistical support led by members Premananda Meetei, Sangathan Mantri, Jyotin Waikhom, vice president and Robin Blackie, treasurer, in coordination with Seva Bharti, Imphal.

The party is coordinating with different social organizations to combat COVID-19 in Manipur.

The party ensures constant touch with the Chief Minister and Chief Minister's Office, Minister of Agriculture, V Hangkhalian who is the party in charge Minister for COVID-19, other concerned Ministers, State and district administration.

The party is working hand in hand with all officials and apparatus to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and provide relief to distressed people.

On the other hand, the BJP State unit conveyed that it is now clear that the Tablighi Jamaat congregation is linked to the newly reported cases in the North Eastern States of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh.

It then appealed to all those individuals from Manipur who attended the congregation in Nizamuddin, Delhi, in the interest of general public to voluntarily report for testing to the concerned authorities.

There is no stigma attached with the virus, it does not discriminate amongst its victims.

Unwillingness or hesitation to come out voluntarily will further endanger public health, it cautioned.

The BJP Manipur empathizes with and stands with the people of Manipur in the battle against COVID-19, it concluded.

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