6-10 am window period sees huge crowds at Imphal markets
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 04 2021:
Main markets at Imphal, excluding Ima Keithel, continue to see huge crowds during the 6-10 am window period given by the Government during the lockdown period.
With people from all walks coming out to buy essentials, the streets of Imphal are as crowded as they used to be in the pre-containment zone tag.
The Government had passed an order on April 29 declaring areas within Greater Imphal as a containment zone for one week in light of the continuing trend of high number of positive cases and fatalities in the State in the days leading to April 29 .
The trend still continues, with 362 new cases and 7 deaths (highest in 2021) reported yesterday.
During a visit to the market places during the said hours, this reporter witnessed how SOPs are being flouted non-chalantly by many of the shoppers.
|
With no social distancing, people could be seen congregating in huge numbers in areas around Ima Keithel.
Most of the vegetables are sold at Nagamapal area, Jiribam parking, Keishamthong, Pishum and Kwakeithel areas amongst others.
Except for Kwakeithel, where the police kept a tight vigil, blatant disregard for the SOPs was seen at the other market places.
During a special visit to the market, this reporter saw that despite the action taken up by the police, people could be seen jostling and flouting all understanding of maintaining social distancing.
Wholesale shops in Thangal and Paona Keithels are allowed to open during the 6-10 AM slot but on rotation with the stipulation that 1 out of 3 shops may open.
This also seemed to be not followed at many places including Masjid road where the shutters of the shop are closed but there are people inside the shop who continue the sale even if it's not their turn to open.
In addition to this, shops selling furniture items, which are not included in the list of shops allowed to open, were found opening on the Keishampat to Waheng Leikai road stretch.
Such disregard of Government order, which was released on April 29 declaring areas under Greater Imphal as containment zone, can be a sure invitation for a complete lockdown.