SHILLONG: The struggle of persons living from hand to mouth is apparent with the curfew and the nationwide lockdown in place.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, the traditional heads have expressed concern about the poor and how to bring about a relief to them.
Headman of Kynjat Phutbol, Shaiphar K Wahlang said there are 900 households, out of which, more than 60 per cent are daily wage earners. Wahlang said that the Dorbar Shnong is working on ways and means to help the poor families.
He said the shops identified by Dorbar Shnong will be allowed to open and advisory given by the Health department to maintain a distance of 1.5 m will be followed.
The headman of Upper Lumparing, HB Wahlang, said that there are not less than 2000 families in the area and they are mostly poor. He observed that salaried people may not have a problem but small-time traders, who own shops in and around the city, are affected. “Around 8-10 daily wage earners came to meet me for help. They may have food now but what about the other days”, Wahlang said. As for the labourers, the headman said those who are registered with the Labour Commissioner have been assured to get the relief of Rs 1,000 per week. He said labourers from around 40-50 families have registered with the Labour Commissioner.
There are no shops that sell meat, fish and vegetables and if there are persons who are interested in selling the commodities they are welcome, he added.
The headman of Laban, Edward Kharwanlang, also raised a similar concern regarding the poor. Laban has a population of over 2,000 households.
To avoid chaos, Laban Dorbar Shnong has formed a Task Force consisting of volunteers. “We have to make sure that there is no rush. Lines that indicate the (1 m) distance are also drawn”, he said adding that only 6 shops will be open.
Further, the headman of Madan Laban, I Sun said that the members of the Dorbar Shnong will see that there is no rush during the period of buying and selling. Out of the 500 families in Madan Laban, 30 per cent are daily wage earners.
“Small-time traders and daily wage earners are badly affected”, he said. Headman of Lower Lumparing D. Shabong said that the Dorbar Shnong will make an announcement about the opening up of shops.
When asked, he said there are more than 300 households in the area, out of which, 30 per cent constitutes poor families. On virus, he said people will have to be vigilant, especially those who come from outside the state. Many residents of Lower Lumparing travelled to other parts of the country, he said. As a precaution, Shabong said that the Dorbar Shnong has asked them to stay at home and not to move out.
