Khalida Niaz
PESHAWAR: Although the government has closed down the local bazaar comprising about 500 shops in Landikotal tehsil of Khyber tribal district after surfacing of coronavirus cases, but still many people visit the bazaar and majority of people seem to be unhappy with the step of the government.
Social activist Aamir Afridi said while talking to TNN that people are criticising the government’s steps taken for their own benefit just because there is lack of awareness about gravity of the situation. He said people generally see national and international media in Landikotal and awareness campaigns are also not being run in the area.
Aamir Afridi said the government has banned the assembly of people in the area and there is no social media due to lack of internet facility so the social activists can’t do much to create awareness. He said the tribal activists appealed to the government to restore 3G and 4G internet service in tribal districts, just for a limited time if possible, so that they could create awareness among the people about the dangerous situation, but that demand remains unfulfilled.
According to information received through Right to Information Act, five people have been diagnosed with coronavirus so far and three of them have recovered.
Landikotal faces more danger of coronavirus spread because it is situated near the Pak-Afghan border in Torkham. The people from Landikotal are spread all over the country for different jobs and businesses. Lack of proper screening of people entering Landikotal is another big problem. Local sources said a large number of people have come to Landikotal in trucks from Lahore by deceiving the authorities and then they openly roamed in the bazaar to buy household items. Over a hundred people have also arrived after performing Umrah and they have been put in quarantine.
Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Imran insisted that no one is being allowed to enter Landikotal without screening. He said the authorities are keeping an eye on people having travel history.
Aasia, a woman from Landikotal, said such is the level of lack of awareness in the area that even some people, particularly the women, are even refusing the existence of coronavirus. She said lack of proper care may land many people in trouble.
Aamir Afridi said Landikotal Hospital is not equipped to cope with the situation and serious patients are sent to Peshawar.
However, many people in Landikotal are cooperating with the administration and adopting precautionary measures. Mehran Afridi, a 26-year-old jeweller, said he has limited his activities and prefers to stay home. However, he said, the awareness level can improve further with availability of 3G and 4G internet.
Deputy Commissioner Mehmood Aslam Wazir said it is the responsibility of the people and media to understand that the government is closing bazaars and other things for people’s benefit.