Most shops remain shut, people roam freely in Ludhiana

Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, August 22

Despite complete lockdown today, public movement was visible on city roads. Due to less number of police nakas, people were seen roaming freely in the city.

In some areas, including Haibowal, Model Town, Hargobind Nagar, Gill Road, Chandigarh Road, Ghumar Mandi, Jalandhar bypass, Samrala Chowk and Dugri road, some shops selling non-essential items were also open. However, most shopkeepers followed the directions and kept their shops shut.

Odd-even formula started

Only 50 per cent of the non-essential shops will open in any particular area. Even number shops can open on even dates and odd number shops can open on odd dates on weekdays. In some areas, shopkeepers don’t have numbers for their shops. They can paint temporary numbers on their shops with the help of market associations.

Cops on patrol duty also made some shopkeepers selling non-essential items down shutters of their shops.

During survey of the city, it was observed that there were less police nakas in the city. At some nakas, cops were not even stopping people.

Yesterday, the police had also made announcement in certain markets asking the public to stay home on weekends, but people violated the lockdown norms with impunity.

Interestingly, in most internal areas, people were seen sitting outside their houses in streets and on roads. When the police displayed lockdown images on its official Facebook page, some people mentioned certain areas where shops were still open.

“Car washing stations are open on Main Dugri Road, which is 100 metres from the police station, Commissioner of Police is least bothered,” stated a Facebook user.

Some Facebook users also raised question over the government’s leniency towards liquor vends, which were allowed to open in the weekend lockdown. “So, liquor vends don’t spread corona, but persons who earn their livelihood honestly by running small shops and carts spread the virus,” said another Facebook user.

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