In a bid to break the chain of the Covid-19 infection in the State, the Odisha Government on Thursday announced a weekend shutdown in 10 districts bordering Chhattisgarh where the number of active cases is increasing day by day.
Despite the restrictions imposed on movement of civilians from the State of Chhattisgarh and extension of night curfew, the number of Coronavirus cases in the district has been increasing drastically.
A few days back, the district Collector and SP had visited several places in the district and, briefing to the media persons, had said the Government guidelines would be strictly implemented to fight the Covid and warned the violators of stringent action.
However, what is seen is the violators are left scot-free. Shocking visuals in Nabarangpur and Umarkote towns show people thronging market without respecting social distancing norm.
But due to non-deployment of any police personnel here, the people are openly flouting the norms of social distancing.
They are even found without wearing the masks. The horrible situation in Chhattisgarh has its impact in Nabarangpur. With businesses taking a hit in Chhattisgarh, the local traders are trying to cash in on the situation by jacking up prices here.
Panic buying by residents has led to price hike of essential commodities and house construction materials like cement and steel rod sending the Nabarangpur administration into a tizzy. To counter the situation, Nabarangpur Collector Dr Ajit Kumar Mishra convened a meeting with Civil Supplies Officers and traders to stop price manipulation and black marketing and warned if anybody is found guilty in this regard, would be treated stringently according to the provisions of the Disaster Management Act and Indian Penal Code, 1860. Mishra said he had directed the District Civil Supply Officers (CSO) and all the officers concerned to monitor the Covid situation of the district.
The officers have been directed to conduct random checking and raids.” Besides special squads comprising local administration and police have been formed to give special attention to stabilize to the price rate of commodities consumed on daily basis.
Essential commodities are adequately available, but panic buying is allowing unscrupulous retailers to take advantage of the situation, he said.