COVID-19: Manipur Students Stuck in Philippines amid Outbreak Appeal Govt for Help

Manila, March 19, 2020:

Amid the worldwide panic over the pandemic coronavirus (COVID-19), several students from Manipur are stranded in the Philippines. The students, who got stuck after the Government put the country in lockdown mode to contain the spread of the contagion, have now appealed the Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh, to extricate them and bring them back safely.

The students have now started circulating videos which have are now being widely shared on WhatsApp groups in the NE Indian region in which they have appealed the Government to arrange their return to their native land.

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The Manipuri student community of Manipur, in their distress, have also jointly issued a message through which they are hoping to reach the Manipuri and Indian Governments.

"We, Manipuri students, are stranded in the Philippines amidst lockdown and curfew. We would like to appeal to the Indian Government, the Manipur Government and the people of Manipur to please help us get home safely", the students have written, expressing their woes of living in a COVID-19 society.

The students have further informed that the Philippines government has declared a total lockdown and curfew in the Metro Manila region, shutting down Airports as well, so they are unable to get out of their hostels/dormitories. "Malls and Markets are starting to shut down. For now we have stocked up some food supplies but what will happen to us when the situation worsens and we are unable to meet basic needs?", the students have queried in their message.

They have expressed further concern that if any one of them get infected then we have no guarantee that they will receive appropriate treatment nor help in this foreign country.

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At this crucial time, the internet ban in Manipur is making the situation worse as we are unable to contact our families, they further said, adding, "The Philippines government gave us a window of 72 hours to leave the country, after which all international flights will be banned. We tried to book tickets but most of us failed to get tickets at the last minute so we are stuck here. And since the Indian government suddenly announced the ban of passengers from Philippines, it is now impossible for us to go home."

"So, on behalf of all the Manipuri students stranded here in the Philippines, we want to request the Indian Government and the Manipur government to help us. We are all distressed and helpless in this situation", they said. The Manipuri students said that since they are less in number, they have no option but to reach out to the Government through social media and the web.

UPDATE: 219,265 people have been infected with the COVID-19 globally, out of which, 124,552 are currently active or currently infected cases and 6,814  are in critical condition. 8,968 people have died so far according to https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

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