Janata Curfew: Northeast Indian Cities Deserted with a Purpose amid Corona Crisis

Guwahati, March 22, 2020:

On the janata curfew that was announced by as a preparation drive for the international pandemic coronavirus or COVID-19, the city of Guwahati, Assam, wears a deserted look. Similar sights have been witnessed in the cities of Shillong in Meghalaya, and Gangtok in Sikkim. However, the few people who are out on the streets, are out with a purpose.

A stroll through the a placid streets reveals elderly persons walking to a nearby chemist's to procure medication. And mothers, with their kids clutching on to their pallus, peeking at the deserted scene down below from their balconies up above. A few trouble makers, contemplating trouble, can also be espied and they will look at anyone walking along the streets with suspicion, for you are not supposed to be out there. That is what the pedestrian will experience.

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For the motorist, the busy city streets will resemble a freeway at worst, and a Formula-1 track at best, where one can accelerate with reckless abandon. Rapido/Uber/Ola riders are the few motorists who have braved the curfew to "help" travellers reach their destinations, while at the same time, earning moolah in times which-are-a-rough, economically.

[caption id="attachment_55269" align="alignnone" width="660"] Gangtok Street Deserted[/caption]

The janata curfew's far-reaching economic impact is not lost on Sankar Paul, a young Rapido rider who plies the Guwahati roads everyday. Paul, who has been "defying" the curfew to help out people who are stuck, says that he is helping people who are unable to find a ride to reach their destinations. "It is tough for people. Some people -- such as health personnel and media employees -- have to reach their places of work. I am trying to do my best at reasonable rates for the passengers, as we are staring at uncertain times ahead, as far as the economy is concerned."

However, some unscrupulous rides are taking advantage of the situation, he says. "There are some riders who are ferrying passengers offline. They are charging exorbitant sums; that is not right. Exploiting people who are vulnerable due to the situation is not something I swear by."

In Beltola, a usually bustling locality frequented by locals for its famous bazaar, barely a single soul could be seen, and the street, that usually smells of vegetables and rich spices, smells of isolation and desertion.

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At Survey locality, a small group of people could be seen clustered near a chemist's shop, one of the few business establishments in the city. "The curfew does not apply to us, as there could be need for medicines. Thus, we are still open. However, some of the boys are murmuring that even chemists need a day off. We are contemplating shutting shop later today", says Bul Bora, a chemist's shop owner.

A hue-and-cry can be observed and another chemist's shop closes its shutters to visitors. One of the employees, visibly stricken with panic, tells me, "Forget this. The entire world is in panic mode because of the corona. Cannot afford to stay open, thus, we are shutting shop for good."

Meanwhile, the Government in Shillong, a day after the COVID-19 Awareness Day, is spraying disinfectants to capitalize on Joyharvard Marak, a resident of Shillong, tells us, "The roads are silent and lonely and peaceful. The Government has been taking strict action about the situation, although most people are liking the vibes of it due to less pollution. At the moment, it is peaceful, and quiet, and beautiful", further adding, "They (the Government have been spraying sanitizers all over streets. I think the Shillong government is taking a good advantage of Janata Curfew to pervert the virus.."

Meanwhile, empty streets have also been witnessed in Gangtok, Sikkim, where the tourism industry has been inflicted deep wounds in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak. "Hardly a soul can be seen on the streets. People are clustered in their homes, as the threat from the COVID-19 has driven people into a deep paranoia", an Inside Northeast source in Sikkim just informed us.

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