GUWAHATI, June 29 - Criticising the State government as well as the district authorities of Kamrup (Metro) for not taking relevant measures before announcing lockdown in Guwahati, NGO Save Guwahati Build Guwahati (SGBG) today said that the move not just led to panic buying and price rise of essential commodities, but also made more people vulnerable to infection by novel coronavirus.
The organisation also asked the people of Guwahati to ensure that all health instructions are followed even when the lockdown is eased, so that the government does not have to take any such drastic measures in future.
�It�s strange that an essential item like potato disappeared from the market ahead of the lockdown. At some places, it was sold at an exorbitant rate of up to Rs 100. We have a State agriculture marketing board and an entire district administration of Kamrup (Metro). At least, adequate supplies of some basic essential items should have been ensured before enforcing the lockdown. The way social distancing failed ahead of the lockdown, it made more people susceptible to infection,� SGBG vice president Ajoy Dutta stated.
SGBG president Krishno K Borooah said it was high time the people understood the severity of the situation and followed the norms strictly. The casual approach of some people during this crisis situation would cost the entire population of Guwahati dearly, he added.
