Villagers declare lockdown in Bhugaon

Worried due to spike in positive cases in the area, citizens want curb in movement from July 7 to 14; authorities call move illegal

While authorities are relaxing curbs and opening up businesses to revive the economy in the face of the pandemic, residents of Bhugaon, worried with the rise in the number of cases, have announced to reimpose an eight-day lockdown in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Tagging such a move illegal, authorities have, however, stated that only the regulatory body has the power to declare a lockdown.

Both the district administration and the state government have ruled out chances of inflicting a lockdown in Pune due to the adverse impact it is casting on the economy. Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who is also the guardian minister of Pune district, had instead urged citizens to follow the distancing norms and other regulations put in place. However, Bhugaon villagers feel that a strict clampdown is the only way to control the rising cases. Accordingly, as per a decision taken by the villagers on Saturday, Bhugaon is set to be under total lockdown from July 7 to 14.

Managing to remain free from the virus throughout the lockdown, Bhugaon reported its first novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case on June 10. Since then, as many as 18 people from the area have tested positive, with most cases emerging in the last week of June. This has caused panic among residents of the village, which has a population of around 35,000 people spread across gaothan (old village area) and societies and townships.

“Most of the villagers have work engagements in the city. After the lockdown was lifted, they started commuting frequently. Eventually, cases started rising. We ran a signature campaign to get a sense of the mood. Around 116 people voted in favour of the lockdown. This is not the decision of the gram panchayat or the village administration. We have come to this conclusion on the behest of the villagers,” said Nikita Sanas, sarpanch of Bhugaon.

A vehicle with loudspeakers has started doing rounds of the village, announcing the decision. An appeal has been put out to purchase necessary items by Monday as shops are set to be shut from Tuesday. Apart from those working in essential sectors, no one else will be allowed to leave the village and movement will be restricted. Even those employed in essential services will only be allowed to go to work and head back home. Apart from medical stores, only milk delivery will be allowed outside the shops for two hours between 7 am and 9 am. Villagers have been asked to stock up on vegetables and groceries.

Demand to now put the entire taluka under lockdown is gaining momentum. Commenting on the matter, Vidyarani Patil, a resident of Bhugaon, said, “People are simply not following the norms, which make enforcing another lockdown mandatory.”

Suresh Khandekar, another local resident, added, “Only a curb on movement will help to bring down cases.”

Working professionals are, however, in a fix. Harish Deshmukh, another resident, said, “We have just resumed work. Not much activity is going on at the workplace. I have decided to inform my office and will continue to travel to work if the gram panchayat issues a letter.”

Ashutosh Joshi, secretary of Mount Vert housing society, said, “We have been calling a vegetable vendor to our complex premises. This week, we have asked him to bring additional items so that people can stock up. We had allowed domestic workers, but now their movement will be stopped owing to the fresh lockdown.”

Though gram panchayat members have claimed that it is a citizens’ initiative, district administration authorities have called the lockdown illegal. Ayush Prasad, CEO, Zilla Parishad, said, “Individuals can choose to be under home quarantine. Only regulatory authorities can declare a lockdown, which can be enforced by the police. Gram panchayats cannot regulate shops. We will not allow any form of vigilantism.”