'Enemy of the People' : A story of a ration dealer

Agartala, Aug 21, 2021, By Our Correspondent

He, perhaps did neither see Ibsen’s celebrated play Enemy of the People, nor did he hear the name of Dr. Thomas Stockmann, but what he actually did may remind many one of the celebrated play – if not to that degree but with, of course, slight changes and exaggeration for the news being allowed.

As it happens one Fair Price Shop dealer of remote Chechua under Ampi Nagar Block decided that he would not deliver essential commodities to the villagers if they did not take Covid vaccination. For him first comes vaccination and then food. Importance wise, he meant. He announced it and stuck to the decision. But as expected the decision did not go down well with the villagers of remote hilly areas. The first protested with him but as the Fair Price Shop dealer did not relent the villagers took the ultimate step. They put up a blockade on the Ampi-Amarpur Road near Chechua on Saturday.

Later, the food inspector along with other concerned officials held talks with the agitating villagers and convinced them that they would, even if un-vaccinated, be allowed to lift ration materials. Nevertheless, the officials also tried to dispel the misunderstanding about the vaccine and urged the villagers to get the jab without any further delay.