The odd-even rule for opening shops in Nongstoiñ will be discontinued from tomorrow. This was announced to the shopkeepers by the West Khasi Hills district administration after a protest march.
Now, all shops can remain open but the district administration said they are to follow Covid protocols to avoid crowding and follow social distancing and other preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus.
Earlier, during the day, shopkeepers in Nongstoiñ had opened their shops in defiance of the odd-even rule, to mark their protest.
The shopkeepers said that their business was suffering due to curbs and they won’t be able to survive as they are reeling under heavy losses.
The shopkeepers, however, were asked closed the shops by the district administration. Angered by this, a large number of shopkeepers gathered together and marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s office seeking its withdrawal.
Some shopkeepers were allowed to meet Deputy Commissioner, Tableland Lyngwa and following a brief meeting, the district administration had to succumb to the demand by allowing all shops to open from tomorrow but with riders that shopkeepers have to strictly follow protocols laid down by the health department and any shop found violating would be closed down.
Meanwhile, ‘Ka Sur Ki Nong West’ said that the odd-even restriction for vehicles should also be lifted.
