RPF calls for extensive test
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 20 2020: The proscribed RPF has called for extensive COVID-19 test in order to effectively control the highly contagious virus in the State.

The outfit also lauded the doctors and other staff of RIMS and JNIMS who successfully treated two COVID-19 patients as well as all those health workers who have been fighting at the forefront against the deadly virus risking their own lives.

Even though people felt a great relief on learning that the State's two positive cases have become negative, the time is still not right to put down one's guard, the outfit asserted in a statement by its publicity secretary Roben Khuman.

It is of paramount importance to search extensively if there is any one infected with the virus, though asymptomatic so far.

Before the current lockdown is lifted, there must be extensive testing of the masses in order to identify infected ones and take up necessary measures otherwise the real purpose of the lockdown cannot be achieved, asserted the outfit.

It said that the Government must review its position to test and initiate treatment measures only after one shows symptoms of COVID-19 .

There have been many cases across the world where many infected people did not show any symptom of COVID-19 for weeks, it pointed out.

Even though the lockdown has been clamped to prevent human to human transmission of the virus, social distancing norms are hardly complied with in Manipur.

Although all the people are asked to stay at home, people gather at their own localities, play cards, consume liquor in groups, liquor vendors are still opened and parents allow kids to play on streets, the outfit observed while appealing to all the people to stop all such activities which defy social distancing norms.

Noting that vast majority of the State's population has been reeling under extreme misery on account of the lockdown, the outfit alleged that the Government has been backing traders who have been wilfully violating the Essential Commodities Act 1955 .

These traders have been hoarding all kinds of essential items and they have been selling the items at prices they fancy.

Noting the Government's claim that there are sufficient quantities of essential commodities in stock, the outfit questioned how much essential commodities have been distributed since the lockdown was clamped and whether whatever quantities distributed so far were enough to keep the masses away from hunger.

People have no access to many essential commodities brought in by truck drivers as the commodities have been brought in bulk by some politicians even before they reached markets at elevated prices.

This can be testified by distribution of different relief items by politicians as seen at different localities, the outfit continued.

As such, essential commodities are inaccessible to vast majority of people.

Moreover, involvement of political parties in distribution of relief items has only aggravated people's misery, it remarked.

It then asked how long hungry people can comply with lockdown, social distancing and quarantine rules.

As stated by the World Health Organisation, the lockdown can certainly slow down COVID-19 transmission but it is not the ultimate means to contain the pandemic.

In view of this fact, it is essential to carry out extensive tests, the outfit reiterated.

While appreciating the solidarity shared by hill people towards plain people and vice versa during this hard time, the outfit remarked that the solidarity shown by hill people and plain towards each other testified the fact that no external force can destroy the fraternal bond shared between the two since ages.

It then called upon all the people to fight and overcome the difficult situation collectively.

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