Undeterred by the inclement weather and unpaved roads, villagers in Manipur’s hill district, Tamenglong continue to travel long distances through the rough terrain to come to the rescue of those in need during this COVID-19 crisis time. People from far-flung villages continue to bring fresh food, including vegetables from their gardens, fields and forests for those people who are staying in community quarantine centres set up in different places in the district headquarters.
While the district administration has been making efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the district, Tamenglong has been witnessing widespread community involvement since the beginning of lockdown curfew in the state. And the community participation continued as hundreds of people returned to the home district from other parts of the country.
Villagers from Chaengdai and Bamgaijang villages on Saturday brought fresh vegetables and firewood for quarantined centres at Tamenglong district headquarters. Bamgaijang villagers had donated fresh vegetables earlier. Teuguaram Village, under Tousem Sub-Division also donated fresh vegetables on Friday. All meat sellers’ in the district headquarters also donated meat for the inmates at quarantine centres.
As more returnees from outside Manipur return home and are being quarantined, more people and villages have come forward to help the returnees and the administration.
The donation of fresh vegetables came even from far flung villages like Tousem village, Bhalok and Kahulong village. The donated materials were handed over to the deputy commissioner of Tamenglong Armstrong Pame.
There are 13 community quarantine centres in Tamenglong district, including three in Tousem sub-division and two in Tamei headquarters. So far, as many as 495 people are staying in the 13 community quarantine centres, out of which 253 are males and 175 are females, including two infants.
This rainforest hill region in Manipur west is known for its rich biodiversity and active forest conservation and preservation. Villagers continue to practice agricutural activities for livelihood.
