Trinath & Sarthak Kanjilall
Port Blair, Mar 20: Although no cases of COVID19 has been reported from Andaman and Nicobar Islands but the local Administration has announced more severe counter measures to combat the threat of the Novel Corona Virus Disease (COVID – 19), which has know triggered panic among Islanders of this Union Territory.
To restrict movement of people the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has imposed a ban on sale of Petrol and HSD (Diesel) to the General Public with effect from the midnight of 19.03.2020 till the midnight of 26.03.2020.
It has been directed that during this period, POL shall only be issued to the fuel outlet runs by Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Limited (ANIIDCO) in Port Blair and other Islands.
This decision however triggered a panic among Islanders on 19 March and thousands of people could be seen standing in long queue to fill petrol from all fuel units till late evening.
Similarly, in many Islands of N & M Andaman panic buying spree has been reported. People were seen buying stocks of several months out of panic, which has already caused serious shortage of commodities in North and Middle Andaman.
As per reports, due to panic buying essential stocks like Cooking Oil, Rice, salt and other necessary items have gone out of stock in the markets of N & M Andaman.
“There are also some restrictions on movement of private vehicles from Port Blair to North and Middle Andaman and adding to that people do not have enough fuel for send commodities to North and Middle Andaman. If this trend continues then within a few days entire North and Middle Andaman will witness severe shortage of essential commodities,” said a resident of North and Middle Andaman.
Meanwhile, talking to Andaman Sheekha over the phone, Mr. Dipankar Mistry, Adhyaksh, Zilla Parishad, North and Middle Andaman said that today after the working hours when he visited the grocery shops he found that most of the essential stocks have gone out of stock in the market.
“Though panic buying is the reason, if the situation remains the same, the residents may panic further, hence, the administration must allow commercial vehicles to continue their services especially to those who are engaged in supplying essential commodities,” Mr. Mistry said.
He said that he had a discussion on the issue with the District Commissioner and the DC has asked him to send the details of the vehicles which are engaged in supplying essential commodities to the North and Middle Andaman District.
The Adyaksha, N & M Andaman ZP said that DC was positive and has assured him that he will communicate with South Andaman District Administration to allow vehicles which bring essential commodities to N & M Andaman to cater to their services.
Although no cases of COVID19 has been reported from Andaman and Nicobar Islands yet but it seems that the island Administration is not taking any chances, which in other way has been lauded by the residents of A & N Andaman Islands.
Leave a Reply