The curfew clamped in Guwahati on Wednesday has been relaxed for 9 hours on Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm, giving some respite to the citizens.
Curfew has also been relaxed from 7 am to 4 pm in every area under the East Dibrugarh, West Dibrugarh, Naharkatiya, Tengakhat and Chabua revenue circles.
Curfew has also been relaxed in areas under Tingkhong and Moran revenue circles from 7 am to 1 pm.
During this period, shops, petrol pumps, ATMs, and other small and medium business establishments will remain open.
Mobile internet services, however, will remain suspended and chances are it ill be lifted on Monday.
Due to the indefinite curfew clamped on Wednesday in Guwahati, people are facing a lot of problems and are urging the administration to lift it at the earliest.
“The ration is getting exhausted and so are the vegetables. If the curfew is not lifted soon then we will face more problems in the future,” said Paresh Das, a resident of Tarun Nagar area of Guwahati.
“We don’t have cash on hands and the ATMs are also mostly empty. Life has got tough in the last couple of days,” he added.
Owing to the closedown, prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed in most parts of the city.
“Taking advantage of the shut-down, several shop keepers are demanding much more than the actual price on several food items,” said Madhuri Das, an inmate of a PG in RG Baruah Road area of the city.
“A plate of eggs which earlier costs Rs 180, is now being sold for Rs 300-Rs 350 per plate and the prices will only increase in the near future,” she added.
“We hope the situation turns normal soon, not just in Assam but in the entire Northeast,” she further said.
The curfew was relaxed from 8 am to 4 pm on Saturday and the police and the Army picked up random people who were found on the streets after 4 pm.
It was alleged that the police harassed people even during the relaxation time.