SHILLONG: The crucial issue of reopening of Iewduh and Police Bazaar — the city’s two major commercial hubs which are under lock and key for more than sixty days — appears to be on hold with the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and the Hima Mylliem giving their inputs to the state government against any such step at this juncture.
The state government is also treading softly on a decision in this regard and is unlikely to take a decision in a hurry.
In his daily press briefing, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma conceded that the traders were grappling with economic crisis, but made it clear that no decision would be taken without further consultation at different levels.
He said, “We will discuss the issue with the CEM of KHADC, Syiem of Hima Mylliem and DC on Wednesday”.
After holding the daily review meeting, Sangma appeared to be cautious about taking a call. He said the government would always keep health as a priority and would not compromise on this crucial aspect, while admitting that the traders were faced with hardships. “We have to balance it out with the health concerns which was a big challenge before the government”, the chief minister said.
Making their stand clear vis-à-vis reopening of Iewduh, the Syiem of Hima Mylliem, Ainam Syiem, on Tuesday said, “For the time being, Iewduh has to remain shut as once it is open the market will attract crowds and there will be no social distancing”.
He informed that Iewduh has around 5,000 shops and stalls excluding vendors and it would be an immensely huge task for the Hima Mylliem to monitor the entire market with only 35 enforcement personnel at its disposal.
“There are as many as 25 entry points into Iewduh and it would be difficult to monitor all of them,” he added.
Arguing that they requested the government to keep Iewduh closed due to the steady spike of COVID-19 positive cases in Assam, Syiem urged the traders and the residents to be patient and prioritise health instead of livelihood.
Meanwhile, there were some murmurs among the traders and shopkeepers that the government could have thought of giving some financial assistance to them as their livelihood was badly affected by the long lockdown. The review meeting decided to keep on hold the permission for the entry of people into Meghalaya for business and other matters. “Once the process of return of those stranded outside is completed, we will plan for the entry of others”, he said.
It may be recalled that KHADC has already moved the government for reopening of Iewduh, while West Shillong MLA Mohendro Rapsang also raised the issue during the recently concluded reassembled Budget session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
