Seventy-one people were arrested on Saturday from Nilamoni Phukan daily market here for violating the lockdown. Police also seized a large quantity of vegetables and fish from those arrested.

The move follows chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s announcement, during his visit to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH) on Friday, on the immediate closure of all fish and vegetable shops in the state. He also warned of strict legal action against those contravening the government order.

Police said several people had gathered at the market at Newville Road to sell or purchase fish and vegetables.

A complaint has been lodged by Jorhat additional deputy commissioner Bipul Das in Jorhat Sadar police station against those violating the lockdown.

Jorhat Sadar police station officer-in-charge Ananta Das said, “We have arrested 71 people for selling or purchasing vegetables and fish at the daily market, defying Section 144 CrPC and some other provisions of the Disaster Management Act in force in the district. The government, district administration, social organisations and individuals have been appealing to the public to stay at home and not to gather anywhere to stop the spread of coronavirus but they wilfully violated those laws.”

They have been booked under Sections 188 (disobedience of an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant), 269 (negligently doing any act known to be likely to spread infection of any disease dangerous to life) and 271 (knowingly disobeying any quarantine rule) of the IPC and Section 51 (B) of The Disaster Management Act, 2005.

“Since the sections imposed against the arrested are bailable in nature, they are entitled to get bail. However, many of them have failed to furnish the suitable surety, for which they will be sent to judicial custody. Investigation is on,” he added.

Jorhat Municipal Board chairman Pavon Bordoloi said, “We have taken steps to enforce the lockdown. The activities on Newville Road are untoward and the guilty should be punished.”