Sarthak Kanjilall & Saleem Javed
Rangat, August 10: Though the administration’s decision of going into a short-term lockdown by allowing the essential commodities to run their show, went well with these citizens of the Islands but certain parameters like not issuing petrol and diesel to the needy have resulted in many to suffer badly.
Worst sufferers are the residents of Sivapuram Panchayat of Middle Andaman as to buy medicines or vegetables they had to travel around 24 kilometers till Rangat. Sadly there is hardly any public transportation in the region due to restriction in movement and non-issuance of petrol and diesel for own vehicles, have left them without any option.
“The nearest market 12 kilometers away from the Sivapuram Panchayat is in the Billyground area but just because it comes under the Mayabunder Tehsil, one will have to remain under 07 days quarantine if they enter the Tehsil,” said a resident of Sivapuram Panchayat.
This brings huge problems for the residents of Sivapuram Panchayat as even to buy medicines in their own Tehsil they are not in the position to move out due to non-issuance of petrol or diesel.
“All the outlets that used to sell petrol/diesel do not have the same as the supply was stopped to them, if we approach the Rangat Petrol Pump they are asking us to show the permission of the Assistant Commissioner, which normal people like us won’t get, now what we will do in case of an emergency?” questioned another resident of Sivapuram Panchayat.
The residents of Sivapuram Panchayat now demand the administration to instruct petrol pumps to issue them atleast some minimum quantity of petrol or diesel-only for emergency use.
