Locals decry

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 20: Locals settled in and around HRD Academy, Imphal Valley Academy, UNACCO School, Herbert School and Extra Edge School have come out strongly against the decision of the State Government to utilise the said schools as quarantine facilities for individuals suspected of being infected with COVID-19.
Scores of people staged sit in protests near HRD Academy at Ghari Awang Leikai, Herbert School at Changangei Ucheckon, UNACCO School at Meitram Makha Leikai, Imphal Valley Academy at Ghari Makha Leikai and Extra Edge School at Ghari Awang Leikai, beginning at around 1 pm today till late evening, demanding the State Government to revoke its decision and to instead shift such quarantine facilities to other remote or sparsely populated locations.
Speaking to media persons on the sideline of one such protest, Changangei Ucheckon Youth Volunteer Organisation Club president T Sharat lamented that the announcement to utilise the schools/educational institutes as quarantine facilities by the Government is extremely concerning and shocking.
The Government's preparation to establish such facilities in light of the COVID-19 outbreak is laudable but to utilise the schools which are situated in areas with dense population is extremely risky, totally uncalled for and reeks of total disregard for the welfare and safety of the public, he alleged.
He further demanded the Government to instead shift the facilities to other sparsely populated locations in the interest of public safety.
On the other hand, speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, general secretary of Ghari Youth Club, P Mangangcha said that the people of Ghari are extremely shocked by the Government's illogical decision to establish quarantine facilities for individuals suspected of having COVID-19 at some of the major schools located in Ghari side, which also happens to be populated by a large number of people.
Not a single quarantine facility can be set up in Ghari area, he cautioned, clarifying that the public welcomes the authorities for their preventive measures but the people are not pleased with their (authorities) questionable attempt to establish the quarantine facilities in such a densely population area.