Jowai Mar 26: The district administration of West Jaiñtia Hills on Thursday had to disperse a crowd of sellers and buyers who started overcrowding the Jowai market due to confusion.

Official sources said most of the people were unaware that the earlier order of the state government to open markets on March 26 has been cancelled due to 21 days lockdown announced by the Prime Minister.

This all started when people from rural areas landed with their agricultural produces in the market not knowing that there was a curfew being imposed in the entire state.

Soon after this, a large crowd started overcrowding the market as people resorted to panic buying of vegetables and other essential items that were available without adhering to advisory on the need to maintain social distancing.

The incident took place in the morning time and the district administration immediately took step to disperse the crowd of market goers and sellers.

Police were seen asking people to go back to their respective homes as they also sent away the vendors from neighbouring villages, and in no time, the market was empty.