Grocery shops reopen after more than a month in Kpi
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, June 14 2021: Kangpokpi has set another example in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic during the second wave with grocery shops beginning to open after more than a monthlong complete lockdown.

The seven COVID Task Force teams of Kangpokpi AC constituted by local MLA Nemcha Kipgen had decided to open the grocery shops in their respective areas only after the shopkeepers showed their COVID Free Certificates.

Kangpokpi had during the first wave introduced a common screening centre for all returnees from other states and roster duty of magistrates and doctors in the fight against the pandemic.

As grocery shops began to open on Monday from 7 am to 10 am, the COVID Task Force Kangpokpi in collaboration with personnel of Kangpokpi police station systematically monitored the opening of the grocery market.

They first checked all the grocery shop owners to see whether they have the COVID Free Certificate and only those possessing the certificate were allowed to open their shops.

The CTF Kangpokpi volunteers led by its chairman Haolet Khongsai and personnel of Kangpokpi PS led by its officer-in-charge inspector Henminthang Kipgen also monitored the movement of shoppers and shopkeepers ensuring strict observance of COVID appropriate behaviour.

The CTF Kangpokpi volunteers were also seen distributing masks to shoppers who came without one, while cautioning them they would be detained and handed over to the police next time.

Meanwhile, autorickshaw drivers plying without COVID Free Certificate were detained by the volunteers of CTF Kangpokpi and police personnel.

Around 30 autorickshaws were detained but those on emergency transporting ill patients were immediately released with a strict warning while the rest were detained for more than an hour and released only after giving them strict warning.

The autorickshaw drivers were also warned that if they happened to ply autos without COVID Free Certificate and caught again, challan would be issued and necessary action would be initiated.

Meanwhile, CTF Kangpokpi chairman Haolet Khongsai appealed to all autorickshaws from other districts to come to the district with COVID Free Certificate from the competent authority, adding that irrespective of where they belong, any autorickshaw drivers without possessing COVID Free Certificate would be detained and issued challan by the police from Tuesday.

He then urged the general public to travel in or hire autorickshaws only of the drivers possessing COVID Free Certificate.

More than 40 shopkeepers were seen queuing for tests at the district hospital on Monday morning and all were found negative.

Meanwhile, the CTF Kangpokpi chairman informed his team will start checking all vegetable vendors at Nute Kailhang and door- to-door vegetable sellers whether they have COVID Free Certificate, and anyone found without the certificate will be barred from selling their goods.

He further informed that the CTF Kangpokpi will approach the District Magistrate/ DC Kangpokpi to reconsider the timing of opening market from 12 noon till 3 pm instead of 7 am to 10 am, pointing out that it is very inconvenient for people coming from far flung area like Twilang area under T Waichong Sub Division, etc.

He then appealed to the people of Kang- pokpi to cooperate with the COVID Task Force and police in ensuring the safety of the people during the opening of the market.

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