Municipal Official Caught On Cam Allegedly Vandalising Fruit & Vegetable Vendors' Pushcarts
A shocking incident has taken place in Tamil Nadu's Vaniyambadi area where a Municipal Commissioner was caught on video while overturning vendors' carts and throwing away fruits and vegetables for reportedly violating social-distancing norms.
Ever since the nationwide lockdown was placed, several incidents of authority figures clashing with citizens and essential service workers have been reported. Unfortunately, one more has been added to the list now.
In a shocking incident that took place in Tamil Nadu's Vaniyambadi area, a municipal commissioner was reportedly caught on video vandalising vendors' carts and throwing away fruits and vegetables. His reason for doing so it seems was that they had 'violated' social-distancing norms.
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Municipal Commissioner Cecil Thomas alleged that the vendors were not following the protocol of social-distancing and even after repeated warnings, they continued to show up. However, with the video going viral on social media, Thomas' high-handedness has attracted severe criticism from all over the country.
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According to an Indian Express report, Tamil Nadu Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to Thomas for his actions. The report also says that sale of fruits and vegetables on LC Road, where the incident took place, was banned and Thomas took to taking matters into his own hands after getting fed up. However, that is not how the law should work.
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In the notice to the accused commissioner, it says, "If the street vendors or fruits vendors violated the rules and regulations laid down during the lockdown period, the Commissioner, Vaniyambadi Municipality should take action against them in accordance with law. But in this incident, the respondent/ Commissioner had exceeded his powers and taken the law in his own hand, which resulted in vandalism."
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It is extremely sad that if things like these become the new normal.
