Simmering anger over the administration not allowing shops to open just two days prior to Eid, led many residents of Assam and Meghalaya to vent their anger by targeting essential shops, which were allowed to open, in Phulbari today.
Most of the anger of the mob was due to the frustration of not being able to do business so close to Eid.
The anger led to a father-son duo running a medical shop being attacked and suffering minor injuries while another shopkeeper was rescued by police in time.
Many cases of Covid-19 have been reported in Phulbari and adjoining areas, leading to the West Garo Hills district administration to declare the area a containment zone, with only essential shops, such as pharmacies, allowed to open. These orders were in place until May 10 but there has been subsequent confusion among residents and police on what types of shops are allowed to open and for how long.
Today morning, at around 9:30am, shop owners were seen arguing with policemen on duty, asking for their shops to be allowed to open as Eid is just two days away. The matter was then informed to Superintendent of Police, MGR Kumar.
The SP then contacted the Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, who permitted shops to open so long as they adhered to Covid protocols. However, the delay in the information being passed on led to some of the angry shopkeepers trying to take the law into their own hands.
Stones were also hurled at a police vehicle. It was then that the father and son were injured and it was only the presence of police at the site that managed prevent anything worse from happening. The situation finally calmed down once the DC’s order was conveyed to the mob.
“We are maintaining a police presence in the area to ensure no more untoward incidents occur. The situation is being monitored,” said Kumar.
