Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday held a crucial meet with tribal leaders to discuss the COVID-19 scenario on Wednesday.
The meet, first of its kind discussion on issues relating to the tackling of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent issues faced by the hill dwellers was held at the chief minister’s secretariat in Imphal.
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The meet was attended by about 60 leaders of tribal apex bodies.
During the discussion which was held with strict adherence to social distancing and other safety norms, the chief minister observed that the COVID-19 pandemic can be dealt with through proper awareness only.
Also read: Primary mission of Manipur government is to stop community spread of COVID-19: N Biren Singh
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He said the key intent behind holding the discussion is to hear the grievances of ‘our hill brethren in the aftermath of spread of COVID-19 and formulate a strategy to impart the right awareness at the grassroots level’.
Highlighting the small population of Manipur as compared to other states of India, he said that the State may face different difficulties due to the pandemic ‘if we are not careful and take up effective steps on time’.
Appealing to public to ignore rumours and trust only the advisories and guidelines by credible agencies like WHO, ICMR, Health Ministry, Home Ministry etc, he also said as per the advisories of these organizations, persons who have completed 14 days of institutional quarantine or the persons whose test result come out negative may return home.
As such, people should never hesitate to allow them to enter their localities, he said.
Expressing confident that all the infected persons would be cured because the doctors, nurses and paramedical manpower of the State are capable, he said the State would overcome the crisis with the support and cooperation from the people.
The tribal leaders also expressed their profound gratitude to the chief minister for hosting such a fruitful discussion session and hear the grievances of the people residing in different hill districts at the time of hardship given by COVID- 19 pandemic and nation-wide lockdown.
They opined that it was a rare occasion which had never happened in the past.
COVID-19 awareness leaflets published by National Health Mission, Manipur in Meitei Mayek, English and different tribal dialects were handed over to the leaders present at the discussion.