Amidst new curbs imposed by State Government to break the chain, city police stepped up measures to control unwanted movement of people on streets. Ensuring that only those figuring in exempted list are travelling, police erected nakabandi on major thoroughfares of city and checked credentials of each passing citizen. Only after checking the identity cards, the people were allowed to move and those roaming around were booked and penalised. In all, on the first day post-imposition of fresh curbs, the streets wore deserted look as even attendance in Government offices reduced considerably.

 

 

 

The 15-day heightened curbs is part of desperate measures undertaken by administration to reduce the cross infection due to over crowding in markets and public places. After unsuccessfully attempts to induce discipline among citizens failed, State Government announced restriction similar to curfew but ensuring that essential activity are not disturbed. Throughout the day the police machinery ensured that norms announced by civic administration is followed in toto. The cops continued patrolling in busy areas and even visited big residential localities and urged people to abide by regulations and avoid outside movement if not required. In Gittikhadan, Sadar and Sitabuldi area the police continuously made use of loudspeakers and urged people to remain inside house and take precautionary measures and ensured COVID-19 appropriate behavior.

 

On main roads, the police put up nakabandi and this time adopted some innovative measures. Lady constables carried placards urging citizens to keep driving license, PUC and RC along with office i-card ready for checking by the cops. This drove home the message that police are on guard and persons who are not authorised to move do not cause trouble. The wholesale grocery market that otherwise appears crowded however today wore a deserted look. This was the measure of success of curbs that kicked in today and would remain in effect till end of month. Throughout the city the grocery stores witnessed very low footfalls today compared to other days when they would be perennially busy tending customers and finalising bills. Only towards evening some activity was seen at stores but that too was within limits.

 

 

 

The cops concentrated on markets and even patrolled the small by-lanes in congested areas where shopkeepers in non essential category tend to carry out business on the sly to keep pressure and ensure total closure. This helped in ensuring that people do not unnecessarily visit the places and further aggravate the already worsened situation due to surge in COVID-19 positive causes in the second wave of the virus. Optical stores, CAs included in exempted category (Contd from page 1) exempted category. Municipal Commissioner said, since District Collector and Magistrate has made some additions in the list which was necessary. Also civic body has allowed maid servants, domestic helps, drivers, cooks, attendants to work during the next fortnight without any restrictions.