SHILLONG: Notwithstanding the lockdown imposed by the government, the slums in the cantonment area still witness various illicit activities, with contraband trade being one of them.
Adding to the woes of the locals, who have adhered strictly to the lockdown, the area on Thursday also witnessed lockdown violations with people coming together in numbers and one person even setting up a stall to meet to the demands of the people.
Despite police chasing away the drug peddlers during timely patrolling in the area on Thursday, the area, after a hiatus, again saw illegal trade activities with the drug traders back to their businesses.
One of the locals also alleged that when they try to chase away the contraband traders, they take to verbal abuse.
“We try to stop them. But they verbally abuse us,” said an elderly lady.
When asked if the locals had raised the issue with the police earlier, the lady said, “Even the police are weary of chasing them away. They (drug peddlers) always come back”. The woman went on to say that the drug peddlers are not local inhabitants and they come from outside. “No, they are not locals. They all come from outside,” she said.
