Clicky
National, Back Page

Rushing customers in Faridpur force markets to shut down


Published : 11 May 2020 09:26 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 03:35 PM

All the markets and shopping malls in Faridpur district town were immediately shut down on Monday as huge crowd for shopping rushed in after reopening as per the government decision.

The decision was taken after an emergency meeting of business leaders at the Faridpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) building on Monday afternoon. All markets and shopping malls were closed for fear of the potential risk of coronavirus infection.

Our Faridpur Correspondent visiting the New Market and Chawlbazar Kapor Patti found that sufficient number of law enforcement agencies were present at the market entrances while some business leaders present at the site urged the customers to maintain physical distance and also follow hygiene for the interest of everyone.

However, all these presence and instructions went in vain, as buyers were found to be highly unruly. They crowded at shops making things completely uncontrollable. Most of the customers were female, some of who had children with them who had no personal protection what so ever.

Police and the local administration found it difficult to bring discipline as huge public poured in finding the market open after such a long time.

According to traders, the customers are from all classes of people and most would not care about maintaining personal hygiene or even distance. The only thing the rushing crowd were busy with buying Eid items – mostly clothes.

The FCCI leaders also visited the market on Monday. FCCI director Nazmul Islam Khandaker Lavy said, “We instructed to open shops at one side of the market while keeping the other side shut. We had urged the customers not to come to the market in groups and strictly warned not to bring children. But very few had respect for the instructions.”

In this alarming situation, leaders found it risky to continue carry out business in these markets. Hence, they all agreed to close all markets and outlets from Tuesday. The matter has been reported to the local administration.