Excessive lockdown violations in Tinsukia district

Our Correspondent

TINSUKIA: Reports of excessive lockdown violation have been reported in Tinsukia district and Tinsukia town in particular after some selective activities were permitted under DM Act, 2005 keeping in view the hardships faced by the people. Taking advantage of the situation, the people of this commercial hub resumed almost all activities, including construction activities, in violation of precautionary guidelines. While many establishments opened their backdoor shutters to cater to the need of the people, inter-district movement of goods like vegetables have surfaced in Tinsukia market.

Despite all-out efforts of Tinsukia administration to enforce lockdown with police keeping day and night vigil, people in large numbers were observed loitering on the road and in residential areas for no reason. Since morning vegetable vendors, either in carts or bicycles, move freely within the residential areas. Even the banned fishes from Motapung Maguri Beel are being sold openly within the town area.

Two-wheelers with pillion riders move freely in violation of Clause 17(i) of DM Act. One finds it difficult to understand as to whether the lockdown actually exists in Tinsukia. Almost all builders resumed their construction works but majority did not follow in-situ construction as mandated under Clause 16(iii) of DM Act. While majority of bikers, including women and girls, carry medical prescriptions to dupe the police, people virtually discarded using masks, let alone maintain social distancing.

A police official who did not want to be named said, “Tinsukia being a commercial hub and supply line for several hundred tea gardens and catering to the need of seven districts of Arunachal Pradesh, it becomes very difficult to tab the movement of people and vehicles in Chamber Road, Siding Bazar and other wholesale markets in Tinsukia town.”

Though on several occasions police took stern measures against the defaulters, including caning, these were not effective to a desirable point. Thus, the administration needs to handle the situation more sternly.

Also Read: More than 5000 Mizo people stranded outside state amid lockdown

Also Watch: Sellers take advantage of helplessness of panic stricken citizens by overpricing commodities