Siliguri, 13th May: Amid the massive surge in coronavirus cases in the state, the West Bengal government has imposed a partial lockdown earlier this month. As per the directives, the entire market/haat will only be allowed to open from 7 to 10 in the morning and from 5 to 7 in the evening. The administration is directed to take strict action against anyone who does not abide by the protocols.
To make sure the traders of Siliguri’s Regulated Market were following the rules, the personnel of Pradhan Nagar police station inspected the market today. Instead, the team was confronted by an angry mob of businessmen and labourers who gheraoed them and started demonstrating, demanding an extension of Partial Lockdown’s time slot. However, the police arrested many involved in the protest.
The traders said that the government directive should be changed for the Regulated Market. They said that the goods (raw materials) come in the Mandi from the other states making it impossible for them to do business from 7 am to 10 am. Furthermore, a letter was also sent to the District Magistrate on behalf of the Market Committee, urging to extend the scheduled time till 2 pm. But the committee has not received any response as of now.
Adding to this, the labourers working at the mandi said that they are following the COVID norms dedicatedly and wear masks, maintain social distance as per the government directive. They too urged for the timings to be changed. Apparently, raw goods come from other states in the market; the drivers and their associates, who come to the market after a long journey, face trouble managing themselves a meal as all the hotels close after 10 am. The workers made a striking remark saying: “Hunger is troubling us more than Corona.”
According to the information, a meeting is likely to be held this evening with the Market’s Management Committee at the Pradhan Nagar police station concerning the entire issue.