Student bodies condemned the act of Chief Minister N Biren Singh for violating the SOPs for COVID-19 while attending a political campaign and urged to focus on framing comprehensive policy for the pandemic instead of playing blame-game on the political scenario.
Demanding to implement ‘COVID-19 counter measure policies of the state’, the six students bodies including the All Manipur Students Union (AMSU), Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Singpanglup (AIMS), Kangleipak Students Association (KSA), Students Union of Kangleipak (SUK) and Manipur Students Federation (MSF) jointly staged a protest at the community hall of Keishampat Leimajam Leikai on Tuesday.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the protest, SUK president H Dhanakumar said that the number of COVID-19 cases is increasing in large numbers but instead of considering to curb the situation, the leaders of the state are focusing on playing blame-game which is very unfortunate.
“Chief minister himself is attending political campaign where a large number of people are attending and he does not follow any SOPs. But on the contrary, he is blaming the public that COVID-19 cases are increasing due to the violation of SOPs by the public. Giving such comments even when he himself is allowing such large political gatherings is highly condemnable,” said Dhanakumar while appealing to the state government to fulfil their demand instead of just charging the public.
He further said that the state government has not taken any effective measures to combat the crucial COVID-19. The leaders of the state are more interested in by-election than saving the lives of the people in the state, he added.
“The SOPs are made by them but even the chief minister himself is violating it and the prevailing situation has compelled the student body to launch protest and agitation,” said Dhanakumar.