DIPHU, March 30 - Markets, offices and other commercial establishments were mostly closed across East Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts on Monday, the day six of the 21-day-long national lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.
However, the decision of the authority to allow sale of fish and meat proved wrong as hundreds of people hovered over the marketplace making travesty of social distancing, not to mention unruly youths, who made it a point to demonstrate bike stunts in the otherwise deserted streets of market areas and residential colonies.
In Baithalangso, police arrested a youth for violating the rules of lockdown on Thursday. However, people were seen rushing to the grocery shops to buy their essentials. As shopkeepers struggled with large crowds, the district administration asked customers to maintain at least one metre of distance with each other, use sanitizers and masks while standing in the queues.
Through an order, the district administration has asked the grocery shop owners to avoid gatherings and use minimum staff. The district administration has also fixed opening hours for grocery shops from 8 am to 4 pm and has ordered the grocery stores to sell vegetables, eggs, fruits etc., from the same sale point. Meanwhile, the administration is pondering about the possibility of providing food at the doorsteps of quarantined people.
On the other hand, the West Karbi Anglong district administration fixed the opening hours of grocery shops from 10 am to 3 pm.
Police and district administration, Diphu Municipal Board (DMB) and Greater Diphu Bazaar Committee carried out spraying of disinfectants in Diphu market after a thorough wash with hose pipe of local fire-tenders. A team of fire-fighters sprayed disinfectants on buildings and roads.
DMB chairman Rah Kro said, �Today the DMB and Greater Diphu Bazaar Committee have jointly carried out the spraying of disinfectants in Diphu market. The areas which are not covered today will be covered the next day.�
In Baithalangso, a youth named Basa Hanse (23) was arrested for violating the lockdown under Section 188 of IPC. A case no. 30/2020 was registered at Baithalangso police station in this regard.
In West Karbi Anglong, a quarantine camp is being set up at Kuthepi. Police have restricted the entry of outsiders in all entry points of inter-district and inter-State borders. The police have stepped up vigil at Forest Gate Bazaar of Kheroni in West Karbi Anglong district bordering Hojai district.
Meanwhile, a few households with medical emergencies have been facing difficulties. An elderly man was seen carrying his wife to a pharmacy located a few kilometres away from Kheroni Chariali on a bicycle.
