Complete lockdown in rural areas

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 22

A complete lockdown was seen in rural areas of Amritsar district here today. A visit to various small towns of the border belt — Khasa and Bhakna and revealed that not even a single shop including those of karyana or vegetables was open.

The roads too wore a deserted look as negligible traffic was seen. Only a few two-wheelers and cars were seen on various roads. The gathering at Gurdwara Chehharta Sahib was also thin.

In many villages, announcements regarding safety from the virus and the state government’s decision for complete lockdown were made from loud speakers at gurdwaras. Police laid checkpoints at entry points to the city at certain places where the police asked commuters their reason of travel.

Many residents told The Tribune over phone people preferred to stay at homes. However, their only concern remained that as the government had announced a complete lockdown till March 31, they might face problems in getting supply of essential items.

“People have to go to other places to sell milk and vegetables. Members of low income groups, who work as labourers, are solely dependent on their daily income. It would be big problem for them,” said a farmer, Harnek Singh.

He said many people in rural areas had better stock in terms of floor and rice, the staple food items.

“Except for a negligible number of families, most people in rural areas keep their year’s stock of rice or wheat at the time of harvesting. But for other items such as pulses or medicines, they are solely dependent on shops,” said another farmer Gurnam Singh.