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COVID-19 rules go for a toss amidst massive traffic snarl in Silchar; lockdown on the cards!
June 16: On reviewing the situation of COVID-19 in the State, Assam Government on Tuesday came up with new guidelines in order to contain the further spread of coronavirus. Though the Chief Minister earlier hinted about adopting a gradual policy of unlock, however, the relaxations could not be made effective throughout the state.
The new SOP specifically stated that the “Districts where the total number of cumulative cases and per day cases are still showing persistently high numbers, especially Cachar, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sonitpur and Nagaon will be under close watch till 21 June, 2021. In case, there is no improvement in the COVID status in these districts, stricter restrictions may follow.” A glimpse of Silchar town on Wednesday was really very scary. The roads were chocked with a long queue of vehicles. Equal number of vehicles and pedestrians were there on the street beating the scorching heat of the day. It was strange to notice many even without any face masks. Since morning till 1 PM, may be, around a lakh people took to the streets of Silchar thereby exhibiting a damn care attitude to Covid-19.
A total of 259 new cases of COVID-19 was reported on Tuesday in Cachar. As per the updated data, a total of 4,831 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) were done, out of which, 189 persons were found positive, whereas 70 more were detected positive in RT-PCR Test. Also, 299 patients were discharged during the day. With this, the number of active cases in Cachar has reached 2,375. That is why, in Cachar district, shops and business establishments etc will close at 12 noon and Covid curfew will continue here in Cachar from 1 PM to 5 AM.
From Rangirkhari till the Devdoot point, the streets on Wednesday were teeming with people. The situation in and around Fatak Bazar was more precarious. Giving away the norm of social distancing, people flocked together in the shops. Many were also crowding the shops at Fatak Bazar fearing a total lockdown from 22 June! Panic buying appeared to be on the heights.
Though the police set into action from Tuesday onwards, yet during the ‘happy hours’ till 1 PM, in full disregard to the odd-even formula, vehicular traffic was plying on almost all the major streets of the town. Prior to 1 PM, no law enforcing authority could be noticed to manage the huge crowd.
Concerned citizens aired the view that, if such be the nature of the people, then certainly there would be no improvement in the Covid scenario in Cachar district. This would invite the risk of further spread of coronavirus among the people. Unless and until, good sense prevails and people move out judiciously, the number of Covid-19 positive cases will increase and thereby Cachar would gradually inch forward towards stricter restrictions, which even would amount to ‘total lockdown.’
Curfew hours and related restrictions relaxed step by step in districts with declining #COVID19 positivity & active cases. Stricter curfew and containment measures proposed in districts not improving by 21st Jun.
1/2— Keshab Mahanta (@keshab_mahanta) June 15, 2021
