SHILLONG, June 16 - The Meghalaya Government has decided to reopen Iewduh (Bara Bazaar), one of the biggest markets in the State.
After a review meeting and spot inspection by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and senior officials, the decision was taken to reopen the market from June 22.
However, only 30 to 33 percent of the shops will be allowed to reopen on a rotational basis. �We have decided to reopen Iewduh from June 22. About 30-33 per cent of the total strength of the shops will open on a rotational basis,� Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said.
There are at least 1,222 shops in the market, which has been closed since March 22 following the COVID-induced lockdown. Although all markets have reopened in a phased manner, Iewduh has remained shut. This is due to the fact that the market has a high density of shops with narrow lanes and alleys within the market.
The market is under the jurisdiction of the Hima Mylliem (a traditional institution). There have been several petitions from the traders operating in the market about its reopening over the past few weeks.
The market sells a range of goods from essential commodities, fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, stationery items, hardware products, electrical and electronics goods to clothes and other items.
It is also the major wholesale market in the State and every Saturday, villagers throng it to buy and sell goods in the market.
Meanwhile, a decision has also been taken to reopen weekly markets in the State, but the border haats with Bangladesh and markets located in the inter-State border will continue to remain shut.
The Chief Minister said that the weekly markets would �reopen from June 29 except the haats on the international border and the weekly markets located along the inter-State border.
Meanwhile, Sangma stated that two more people have tested negative and recovered from COVID-19 in West Garo Hills district. The total recoveries now stand at 28. There are still 15 active cases in the State.
