More establishments shut down, events cancelled as COVID-19 looms

IMPHAL, Mar 23
With a view to prevent and control the outbreak of COVID-19, a notification of Registrar General, High Court of Manipur has informed that the Manipur Judicial Service Grade-I Recruitment Examination 2020 (scheduled to be held on March 28 and 29), and the interview for Manipur Judicial Service Grade-III, 2019 (scheduled to be held on April 1 and 2, 2020) have been postponed until further notice.
It further informed that all the recruitment process conducted by the High Court of Manipur remain suspended until further order as well.
On the other hand, Sanamahi Laining Luptin has cancelled its intended public meeting on April 12 at Ema Khunthokhanbi Shanglen in Thangmeiband owing to the rapid spread of the deadly Coronavirus across the country.
Convenor of Sanamahi Laining Luptin, in a statement, said that in light of its demands including a separate code for Sanamahi (Meitei religion) in the Census report and official declaration of Sanamahi as a minority religion, an Ad-hoc committee was formed.
The Ad-hoc committee, which was formed during a meeting held at Lainingthou Puthiba Shanglen in Lamlong on February 24 this year, had planned to organise the public meeting to deliberate its demands.
It mentioned that the officials concerned had informed the members of the committee that the necessary procedures of the census operation will start from April 15, 2020.
It appealed to all the Sanamahi followers and believers to declare themselves as the true followers of the said religion during the process of counting heads and further all officials concerned to carry out their protocol effectively without leaving any household/person behind.
 In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Film Forum Manipur has informed that it will remain closed  till March 31, said a press release issued by secretary, information and communication, Film Forum Manipur.
Urging the State's film fraternity to refrain from taking up new filming projects or continuing shooting, the Forum has declared the cancellation of the 8th Nongin Manipuri Music Festival 2020, scheduled to be held on April 19 at Manipuri State Film Development Society.
On the other hand, a notice issued by State TB Officer, Manipur has informed that it will not be observing World TB Day 2020, which is usually organised on March 24 every year, due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Saying that India is catching up to fight for TB elimination , it mentioned that the name of the program has changed from Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) to National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).
It continued that, in India, 40% of the population have inhaled TB bacteria and they are infected without manifested active TB.
As such, latent TB infection is a state of persistent immune response to stimulation by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis antigens without signs and symptoms of TB.
So far, there have been 2554 TB case notification in Manipur, it added.
Apunba Manipur Matam Ishei Kanglup (AMMIK), on the other hand, has informed that its office will remain closed till March 31, following the advisory of the State Government regarding COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result of the rapid spread of Coronavirus and deaths across the globe, Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) has cancelled its annual event, Eramdam Seitha Esei, which  is organised every year on Sajibu Cheiraoba, said general secretary, MSF.
It appealed to each and everyone to follow the Government issued protocol and adopt the guidelines given by WHO to prevent the epidemic in the State.
Meanwhile, Justice Committee on Anglo-Manipuri War 1891 Martyrs & Freedom Fighters, Kangleipak Manipur has also cancelled its Tengtha Thouram owing to the COVID-19 situation.
A press release issued by Chairman of the Justice Committee stated that