MARGAO
Saxttikars find themselves in a quandary after the taluka was hit by cyclone Tauktae and the showers that lashed the taluka on Tuesday, but for a different reason.
Reason: With roofs of houses damaged by the strong cyclonic winds since Sunday, people from the taluka have been rushing to the commercial capital, with the hope of laying their hands on plastic sheets to cover their roofs and premises, only to face the brunt of the men-in-uniform enforcing the ongoing Covid lockdown.
With the Margao Municipal New Market and the adjoining Gandhi market shut as per the district Collector’s order under Section 144 of the CrPC, the citizens have been left to find for themselves to procure the plastic sheets.
Since Monday, some of the shops and establishments around the new market had started selling the plastic sheets and to cater to the huge crowd of anxious citizens, waiting to lay their hands on the plastic sheets, but in vain.
A group of policemen, drafted in the markets to enforce the Covid lockdown got the traders to shut shop, threatening action for violating the lockdown guidelines.
Some of the citizens who had come to the city with the hope of purchasing plastic sheets had to run to other places with the hope of getting the plastic sheets.
A resident of Cavelosism Dixon Vaz told The Goan that he saw police armed with lathis driving away people on early Tuesday who had to come buy the plastic sheets. “We understand that a lockdown is in place. But, at the same time, we cannot forget that cyclone Tauktae has wrought havoc in Salcete countryside with roofs blown over and tiles damages”.
He questioned: “How is the district Collector and the police expect the citizens to lay their hands on the plastic sheets to cover and protect their residential premises from the rains.”
Dixon suggested that the district authorities or the Margao Municipality should at least permit the traders to sell the plastic items in the open to ensure social distancing at the place of trade.
Margao Municipal Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes said he would study the matter before coming out with a solution.
