MAWKYRWAT, June 21: A discontent lot of shopkeepers of Mawkyrwat market along with leaders of various pressure groups, on Monday, met South West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner C Kharkongor to register their protest over shopkeepers, who have not been vaccinated, being disallowed to restart their businesses.
Speaking to media persons, some of the shopkeepers expressed surprise over the district administration denying tokens to them for reopening of shops in the market on odd-even basis.
“After it was my turn to register, they firstly wrote my name, title and the type of shop, and then they asked me about the vaccination slips (certificate), I told them that I have not been vaccinated. Following this, they immediately tore the paper and told me to leave,” said a lady who sells ‘kwai dong’, newspapers etc, at the market.
The visibly upset woman said that she had to go back to her home with bad news when her entire family, which depends on her to put bread on the table, was expecting to hear something else.
Addressing the press after meeting the DC, chairman of the Synjuk ki Seng Samla Shnong South West Khasi Hills District, Wallambok Syiemiong, pointed out that the main objective of meeting the DC was to identify how these aggrieved shopkeepers would still be able to earn a living.
“The district administration should find a solution to this problem because these people (shopkeepers) have sat at home for nearly two months and now that others have again started their business, they were denied to earn livelihood. Our people did not do anything wrong or violate any laws of the state or central government as according to the statement issued by the Health authorities (both state and Centre), vaccination is voluntary not mandatory. When our people are innocent and did not violate any laws, then why were they persecuted by denying them the right to earn their livelihood and the right to life?,” Syiemiong said.
He informed media persons that the Synjuk along with HYC and HANM have requested the DC to find a solution to this problem.
According to Syiemiong, the DC said that before taking any decision on the matter, she will have to spread awareness to the shopkeepers about vaccination.
