Dimapur: Public stock up after 5 days of complete lockdown

Wholesalers of essential commodities at GS road Dimapur trading their goods on April 6. (Inset) Head of Special Committee, Covid-19 Dimapur, Y. Kikheto Sema IAS; Commissioner of Police Dimapur, RothihuTetseo and SDO (C) Dimapur, KikatoChishi monitoring business activities on Monday morning in Dimapur. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News
Dimapur| April 6 

The public of Dimapur were seen venturing out in large numbers to procure essential commodities in various localities of Dimapur town after five days of complete lockdown.

While traffic within the main town was regulated with barricades and enough security, the traffic on the highway was chaos despite an official order stating that there would be total ban on vehicular movement except those exempted. Police and traffic personnel were seen struggling to streamline heavy traffic from Purana Bazaar till ARTC, 3rd Mile during the initial hours after retail shops were allowed to open from 9:00am. 

However, within a few hours the traffic was brought under control and the vehicles on the highway reduced to negligible numbers. Some citizens attributed the initial surge in traffic in parts of the town to the new traffic regulations which were unknown to the public. 

Vehicle movement was banned at Purana Bazaar Police Point for further movement towards town area. 

Meanwhile, the Special Committee on COVID-19 Dimapur headed by Commissioner and Secretary, Y Kikheto Sema IAS; the Dimapur DC, Anoop Khinchi, DC Dimapur and Commissioner of Police, Rothihu Tetseo were seen during the early hours at GS Road to monitor the whole sale market. They also visited the Super Market at Naga Shopping Arcade.

The Committee instructed the whole sellers and retailers, later, to sell commodities as per rates prescribed by the authorities and desist from taking advantage of the current situation. He warned of strict action against those flouting the prescribed rates.

Speaking to The Morung Express on Monday, Kikheto said the authorities were apprehensive of the public resorting to a mad rush, especially after the complete lockdown which also included businesses dealing with essential goods in Dimapur.

He, however, expressed satisfaction at the smooth conduct of business at GS Road. He meanwhile expressed concern over the shortage of staff at banks which were exempted from the lockdown. “Lengthy line of people was visible outside banks and the service was slow since there was hardly two-three employees inside banks,” he stated. He appealed to the banks to facilitate smooth and faster service for the public. Kikheto meanwhile informed that one of the reasons for excess vehicles on the road at such times was due to unnecessary movement of people, even those with car passes. 

“A certain government employee or civil society leader might have a car pass but that is being misused to transport entire family and friends. Let us all be honest and truthful and perform our duties religiously during such times,” he pleaded.

Kikheto appealed the citizens to stay at home and avoid venturing out unless for procuring basic necessities. He expressed optimism that since majority of the people might have stocked enough ration to last days, the situation of overcrowding and traffic chaos would see improvement by Tuesday.

He appreciated the citizens for their support and cooperation on Monday and requested them to continue with the same spirit for the safety of everyone.

Supermarket was closed around 11:00 am by the authorities as it was teeming with public crowding the area for essential needs. Essential commodity shops at Duncan Colony road stretch near DABA was also closed for the same reason.