Farmers Movement Archive

After much abuzz, silence back for two days again

Jalandhar, June 12After four weeks of full freedom to visit bakeries, salons, sports stadium and of late even take a round in shopping malls, a curfew-like situation is set to resume once again for the next two days.Even today, all shops closed at 7 pm as per the new orders against the usual timings of 9 pm. Even though the state government has allowed shops dealing with essential commodities and services to remain open on the weekend, most people were still seen buying grocery items in the day today.Ever since the restrictions in the lockdown had been relaxed, the rush in sabzi mandis, government offices, markets etc had gone beyond control. Various government employees, farmer associations and student unions also held protests, caring two hoots to maintaining social distancing.The number of cases of Covid-19 have been on the rise for the past over a week and new and untraceable cases, too, have started emerging on a daily basis.The movement of people to Jalandhar from other cities, abroad and the return of migrants, too, has been increasing. Even Jullundur Gymkhana Club has started opening sports facilities.People have begun socialising and visiting their friends and relatives locally and in nearby towns. The sudden decision to impose the weekend curfew has led to a change of plans of several people, who were to visit their relatives or hold get-togethers to break the monotony.Earlier in the day, shopkeepers were confused as to whether they would be able to open their establishments, the matter was clarified after the government issued detailed guidelines this evening. Harvinder Chugh, a shopkeeper, said, “While the state government has allowed the industry to work normally on the weekend, even shops should have been allowed. Our work had barely started coming back on the track.”

The Tribune

2020-06-13