UCM hails unity amid COVID-19 crisis
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 02 2020: Ahead of its 20th foundation day which falls tomorrow, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) has wished for unity and peace to prevail in the State and overcome the COVID-19 crisis that is crippling the livelihood of the people and economy.

Stating that the bond of brotherhood and love between the people of all communities have been renewed and strengthened as hills helped the valley and vice versa during the lockdown due to COVID-19, the committee in a statement said that the future is bright when all continue to help each other in times of need.

People in the hills had brought vegetables for the valley dwellers when the lockdown hit hard.

Many in the valley had also provided aid to hill people, recalled UCM.

Emphasising that communities have to play a larger role in containing the virus, UCM reiterated that all should sincerely follow the safety guidelines issued by the Government and health authorities.

Amid the rising number of cases, authorities concerned and public should play active roles to avoid community transmission of the virus, UCM said urging people, especially women vendors of Ima Keithel to reconsider their decision to open the market.

Acknowledging that the women vendors have been hit the hardest as they are forced to close their stalls since March, UCM said that the women vendors should consider the risk factors and wait till the situation returns to normal to open the market.

If the women vendors go ahead and open the markets, there may be an outbreak that could trigger community transmission.

Opening of the market will also compromise the health of the "Imas" who are aged, said UCM pointing out that people above 60 years of age are more prone to the disease and many complications associated with it.

A major chunk of the deaths recorded in India and abroad are aged persons.

The State has seen no casualty due to the virus till today as most of the returnees/patients are young and healthy, added UCM requesting the women vendors to open the market when it is safe.

Further reminding the Government of its responsibilities towards fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, UCM lamented that the elected leaders are not serious enough to understand the crisis at hand.

Power struggle for personal gains among the MLAs will only worsen the unprecedented crisis the State is facing at present.

The elected leaders should stop the fight for power and shed all personal differences if the State is to face the pandemic effectively, said UCM asserting that their personal issues are not greater than their responsibility towards the people.

The leaders who cannot do their job should surrender their posts and quit for other abled leaders, added UCM.

It also appreciated and thanked frontline workers, healthcare workers, doctors, nurses, media persons, police, transport drivers, quarantine volunteers, local clubs, members of Joint Committee on COVID-19-Kuki Inpi Manipur, UNC, MMWO, AMUCO, Zeliangrong Baudi, CCSK, HERICOUN and LIPUL.

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