Public Continues To 'Foolishly Ignore' Covid19 Protocols: Manipur High Court Seeks 'Long Term Plans' To Curb Pandemic

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Kh Nobin Singh remarked that unless the State administration is in a state of preparedness, it would be difficult to cope with the fresh challenges that may come up in future owing to mutation of the virus coupled with "foolhardiness of the general public".

The Bench noted that citizens foolishly continue to ignore COVID protocols and the prescribed standard operating procedures despite the imposition of curfew across the State.

"Effective measures have to be taken in this regard by the State duly balancing and protecting the fundamental rights of citizens," it ordered.

On this note, it has asked the Government to ensure compliance with the directions passed by it last year in a PIL titled J. Hillson Angam v. State of Manipur & Ors., laying down a long-term plan in order to tackle the Covid crisis.

The High Court had ordered,

"The government ought to constitute many committees of experts in respect of different problems relating to various Departments viz. Finance, Education, Health, Home, Agriculture, Horticulture, Industries etc. which will collect data, discus with the stakeholders including CSOs and assess the impact of COVID-19 crisis taking into account the actions already taken by the State Government under short term plan."

Additionally, the Court has directed the Additional Solicitor general to file an affidavit detailing the measures taken by the National Task Force (that was constituted by the Supreme Court earlier this month to assess Covid situation across the country) in so far as they impact the State of Manipur. It has also sought a response on the financial assistance to be extended to the State of Manipur to meet this crisis.

The Bench was also informed that Government of Manipur has constituted an Audit Sub-Group on Medical Oxygen under the National Task Force.

The duties of the said Group primarily concern medical oxygen supplies and utilization and accountability in relation thereto.

The High Court has ordered that in addition to oxygen supply, the Group will also collect requisite data on the following aspects, so that the same is made available to NTF for effective planning and implementation of the future course of action:

• Availability of essential drugs and medicines
• Preparedness to meet present and future emergencies that may arise during the pandemic
• Availability of manpower for outreach to rural areas
• Availability of medical personnel
• Evidence based research to enhance effective responses to the pandemic
• Best practices to promote knowledge about the management of the pandemic.

The matter is now listed for hearing on June 2.

Case Title: Naresh Maimom v. Union of India & Ors.

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