Chandigarh: Sole Covid-19 patient out, but 80 families trapped

CHANDIGARH: Anger is brewing among 80 families residing in three lanes of Sector 38 A EWS colony declared a containment zone on May 2. Reason: the sole coronavirus patient was cured and discharged more than a week back but the restrictions have still not eased.
“What is the logic of not lifting restrictions when the patient has been discharged. The officials should understand our plight,” said, Raj Kumar, 30, a resident of the locality.The biggest trouble they are facing is that they are running out of cash. And, prospects of a turnaround are dim.

“A majority of families earn their livelihood by running autos and cabs, while others are daily wagers, and a few work in the private sector. There is not much cash available with residents now,” said Bahadur Singh, 47, an employee in a private company. A little clarity on when some relaxations will be given can help, but that too is not happening.
“The authorities do not give a proper reply when residents approach them on helpline number 112 or ask police officials posted in the containment zone. As people are not able to go to their workplaces, they are finding it difficult to run their homes,” said Bahadur. The efforts of the administration too have been trashed.
“The quantity of ration, supplied only once by the administration, is not sufficient for families for a month. We had written a letter to senior officials but to no avail,” said Raj Kumar.
Joginder Singh, president, Bhim Samaj Sewa Samiti, Sector 38, said people living in the containment zone had called him several times to share their problems. Though he cannot enter the containment zone, he said he is trying to provide every possible help to the residents.
Till then, as Bahadur Singh said, they continue to live a prisoner’s life