the goan I network
SANGUEM
The weekly Wednesday market in Sanguem opened for the first time since the lockdown began in March, but was forced to shut down within two hours at the instance of the Sanguem Merchants Association (SMA) due to chaos in the market.
The vendors had lined up along the entire street from the Sanguem PHC to the electricity department for the first time in over seven weeks.
On hearing news that the Wednesday market was open, crowds rushed to the site to make their purchases as rates offered by vendors are cheaper than those offered by shopkeepers in the town.
Members of the SMA then complained to the Sanguem Municipal Council (SMC) and other government authorities about the crowds in the open market and people jostling with each other to make their purchases.
Immediately after the complaint, SMA members along with SMC and police teams went to the market area and directed the vendors to shut down within two hours of the market remaining open.
Policemen also began fining those people who were not wearing face masks.
Many residents welcomed the decision to close the Wednesday market due to concerns over coronavirus, since details of vendors and their places of origin were unclear.
