Fined for spitting
Police Bazar is now under strict supervision with CCTV cameras capturing images of people who commit nuisances such as spitting or stealing plants that have been diligently planted and cared for by the Jiva Hospitality Team. On September 21, last a man was found spitting in the drain in front one of the shops. He was immediately caught by the shop owners nearby and made to clean up the area. Then he was also told by the EAC and Executive Officer, Shillong Municipal Board, Ms Martina Lyttan, to pay a fine. He pleaded that he had only Rs 200 and was told to pay that. This is necessary as a deterrent. Ms Lyttan was also appointed the Incident Commander of the Community COVID-19 Management Team (CCMT) for Police Bazar and surrounding areas to manage COVID at its height.
Police Bazar has of late been able to maintain a high level of cleanliness and orderliness because of the cooperation of the shop owners and vendors. The shop owners of Police Bazar have also contributed towards the large umbrellas for hawkers and food vendors. There has also been a high level of awareness on food hygiene and safety by Food Inspector, D Bahun Mukhim, who is undertaking a mobile awareness campaign across Shillong and is now venturing to different parts of the district. With a small workforce, Mukhim is trying her best to enforce cleanliness in all hotels and restaurants and on street 
food vendors. She works as a team with Ms Lyttan and all the shop owners of Police Bazar are supporting the cause. This is a model that needs to be replicated in Laitumkhrah where hawkers have taken over the footpaths making it very hazardous for pedestrians, especially for the blind and disabled, to negotiate their way around.
Laitumkhrah in fact looks like a lost cause, rue the teachers and care-givers of Bethany Society, who work with the differently-abled.
And so the festive season begins
It is that time of the year, when markets in Shillong are boisterous — scenes of brisk businesses to busy street food corners to traffic snarls are just to name a few. The SJ team took a tour of the bustling Police Bazar on Saturday only to find out that the festive vigour has set foot in Shillong, which lasts till the end of the year.
While some people were jostling their way into clothing stalls, others carrying shopping bags were seen relishing street food.
There was, however, a hiatus in the business activities during the day when, much to most people’s dismay, rainfall lashed select parts of the city.
Moreover, this Sunday, Police Bazar looked livelier than other Sundays despite most of the outlets remaining closed.
A significant number of people were strolling within the market area. People mostly thronged food stalls for takeaway even as numbers grew as the sun went down.
Festivities will find people in high spirits and this spree of gathering is likely to increase. However, with protocols for this puja out, there isn’t much to worry about.
Beware of impostors
Purchasing a used car online turned into a rather troublesome experience for a local resident as he lost lakhs of rupees.
This car was on sale at a well-known online marketplace and the man, tempted, decided to purchase it.
Soon, he contacted the seller to strike a deal.
After much debate and persuasion, a deal was fixed.
The seller, who claimed to be an army man, told the potential customer that he would bring the vehicle to Shillong from Guwahati.
Subsequently, the buyer was informed that the car is en route to Shillong, but, interestingly, from the other end a demand was made for some money claimed to be needed for transporting the vehicle. The ‘gullible’ buyer agreed and sent a sum of Rs 35,000 via online payment. To his surprise, the seller asked more money and the buyer obliged, immediately paying Rs 22,000.
But there was no sign of the car or the man bringing it.
Later when his family found out about the matter, several questions were asked and suspicion went rife.
“You have been duped!” he was told.
When asked by his wife, he revealed that he has paid around Rs 2 lakh to the seller.
While he hopes that his would-be car will be delivered to him and if not, money would be refunded, his family members are in shock over how gullible he was.
This is one such incident whereas more and more cases of frauds like this have been reported to police on a day-to-day basis. While most can distinguish a fraudster in such scenarios, yet there are many who fall prey to tempting online offers.
Moral of the story: Beware of impostors, online!
