GUWAHATI: Despite the Assam government strict order for the closure of open vegetable, meat and poultry shops many traders and citizens in Guwahati and other parts of the state are paying no heed to the lockdown which has been necessitated amid growing threat of Coronavirus.
On the fourth day of 21-day-nationwide lockdown, people in large number gathered to buy vegetables at Beltola market in Guwahati. Showing indifference to the safety of public health, unruly citizens thronged the open vegetable shops in Beltola area. Despite government’s order for a complete lockdown and large-scale publicity on the gravity of the situation, the shopkeepers and buyers paid no heed to maintain social distancing which is the key to combat the spread of Coronavirus.
Similar scene of utter negligence was also witnessed at Gandhi Maidan in Hojai where people went for marketing with fanfare without any anxiety over the prevailing situation.
On the other hand, the sheer irresponsibility rose to a such level that an unruly mob pelted stones on the law enforcers in Bhawlaguri market near New Bongaigaon Railway Junction. Assam Police had to blank fire to disperse the mob who had defied the lockdown rules.
