Vendors returned to the Mangala Haat at Sakchi market on Tuesday after a gap of about three months.
However, they failed to adhere to the social distancing norms laid down by the government. Both shoppers and other visitors were also seen flouting Covid appropriate behaviour amid threat of a possible third wave.
Relaxations of police vigil led to the footpath vendors entering the commercial hub in large numbers post 9 am today.
Significantly, this was the first time in the past three months that Sakchi market witnessed this huge a crowd today. Shoppers wanting to purchase from footpath vendors, mainly added on to the swelling number of crowd.
The footpath vendors had been allotted a piece of land at the Aam Bagan ground in Sakchi for transacting business. They have been using that land for selling their wares for last three months. But, today, they turned up in large numbers at their original place at Sakchi market, thereby, creating a chaos.
Maintaining a distance of one metre is the usual norm inside the market. But no one- neither the vendors nor customers paid heed to this norm.
Several vendors and shoppers were spotted without a mask at the haat, which was open till evening.
Vendors at Mangala Haat Bhola Prasad
Notably, erstwhile Dhalbhum SDO Nitesh Kumar Singh had adopted strict measures and had been instrumental in shifting the footpath vendors from Sakchi market to the near-by Ambagan ground. Following a state government notification on Monday Singh was transferred to the state tourism department.
The Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has taken note of it.
“We are aware of today's crowding at Sakchi market and violation of social distancing norms. Some permanent shopkeepers had lodged complaints of violation of social distancing norms by footpath vendors and buyers. We have requested the district administration to prevent such crowd in that market,” said Bharat Vasani, general secretary of the trade outfit.
Ravi Bharti, city manager of Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee, said random Covid test in different markets would resume in one or two days amid threat of a third wave.
