The Thadou Inpi Kangpokpi district has implored the Manipur government and the district administration to put a halt on trekking activities at Mt Koubru following detection of a trekker infected with the COVID-19.
Among those who trekked on Mt Koubru on Tuesday, a 23-year-old male from Khonghampat Awang Leikai has been tested positive on Thursday at CMC Korengei.
Sources confirmed that he was found infected with the COVID-19 when tested at CMC Korengei on Thursday. However, the source believed that he might be already infected before trekking the peak.
It may be recalled that hundreds of trekkers on a daily basis had climbed Mt Koubru since April 21 completely flouting the covid SOPs and guidelines.
Following the alarming surge of Covid infection and fatalities in the state, Kangpokpi district police ultimately embarked on monitoring and enforcing strict Covid advisory and guidelines which reduced the bulky number of trekkers.
The local populace at the foothills of Mt Koubru had also expressed their apprehensiveness and restlessness over the huge crowding of trekkers at this alarming situation while the Sadar Hills Chiefs' Association also made a sincere appeal to stop trekking for a time.
The Thadou Inpi Kangpokpi district said that the detection of positive case among the trekkers is a matter of concern for the public, adding that several appeals were made to avoid such unwanted Covid-related incidents but serious attention was not given.
It also stated that when the state is at an alarming situation, the scene at the peak of Mt Koubru looks as if a mammoth conference has been organised to convert the sacred peak as the hotbed for the dreaded COVID-19.
It continued that although pilgrims for religious purposes at Mt Koubru has never been restricted, the various viral posts floating the social media platform showcasing various sports activities are more for fun and entertainment, etc.
The Thadou Inpi Kangpokpi district also strongly implored the district administration of Kangpokpi and the district police to strictly enforce the SOPs and guidelines of COVID-19 equally in the district irrespective of anything else.
It also cautioned that any untoward incident arising out of trekking at Mt Koubru at this critical juncture, the state Government, the district administration and the district police shall be held solely responsible.
Meanwhile, Kangpokpi police as part of imparting awareness on the SOPs and guidelines of Covid, particularly among the trekkers of Mt Koubru, put up various banner with COVID awareness scripts such as 'Always wear masks and follow COVID-19 SOPs', 'Don't litter, Keep Mt Koubru neat and clean' at the top of the peak and all entry points of Mt Koubru.
As trekkers continue to climb Mt Koubru, Kangpokpi Police teams led by additional SP(Ops), additional SP(LO), DSP, and other subordinate officials also continued to monitor the movement of trekkers at various locations at Damdei, Kholep, Mangjol, etc. while registering entry of trekkers going up and coming down apart from enforcing Covid appropriate behaviors.
More trekkers were to have reportedly camped at the peak as some climbed up and some scaled down from the peak on a daily basis.
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