Lockdown norms eased in Jamshedpur, hecklers of social distancing pour out

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, May 19: With the relaxing of the lockdown whip by the state government, sighs of relief were but natural.

But the manner in which a major part of the citizens reacted to the new found partial freedom does not auger well on the health front especially on the face of the corona positive graph in Jamshedpur spiraling from zero to six within a span of a mere one week as of today with the discovery of one more case in the form of a Jugsalai resident who returned to the city from New Delhi by the Special Rajdhani Express on May 15.

The surging crowds on main thoroughfares were trailer of the show that presented a scenario befitting a prelude to the immediate future.

The makeshift vegetable markets at Baradwari and Kadma was horrible in rational terms as people elbowed or shoved for space at vegetable shops to make purchases in a manner as though there would be no tomorrow.

Markings for social distancing in front of grocery and stationary stores were obliterated by feet of restless buyers over eager to get their necessities.

All this happened in spite of the district and police administrations� best efforts to keep traffic to a minimal and to ensure social distancing in cars and on two-wheelers.

The East Singhbhum deputy Commissioner, SSP, City SP, SDO and other senior officials are out on the roads to take stock of the law and order situations at various city junctions and checkposts.

They are on record for intercepting many people and asking them about the purpose of their moving about. In fact, the DC on Monday evening intercepted the car of a prominent citizen and confiscated his pass.

Jai Kumar (name changed), when asked about his being a member of the unethical crowd in the Baradwari vegetable market said, �When everybody is out, why should I stay behind closed doors? My family too needs vegetables and like others, I went to the vendor who was selling what I needed. Where is the harm?� Before the man could be warned that coronavirus spreads through touch, he went away.

An elderly Parikshit Ghosh of Kadma said, �Laying down law is good. Following it is better. And under the prevailing situation, forcing it down people�s sense of judgment is the best.

The administration needs to get tougher.�