Morning walkers spotted by drone, arrested
Police in Ernakulam district on Saturday cracked whip on morning walkers violating lockdown norms in the state.
The Ernakulam police on Saturday arrested 41 persons who went out for morning walk in violation of the restrictions imposed as part of the lockdown. The morning walkers were caught on the drone camera deployed by the police. The arrested were later granted bail on personal surety.
The police swung into action after it got information that a large number of people were out on the roads for their routine morning walk.
The violation was mainly detected in Panampally Nagar of Kochi city.
The police had earlier issued warning against morning walk and jogging during lockdown as it could result in spread of Covid–19 infection. However, in many places people paid scant regard to the warnings and instructions of the cops.
With the lockdown norms being violated almost on a daily basis, the police decided to take direct action.
Cases are also being registered in Kerala under the Epidemic Diseases Ordinance 2020.
As per the provisions of the ordinance, a person who violates the law is liable for punishment of up to two years imprisonment or `10,000 penalty or both. The police can resort to direct action in the event of such violations coming to their notice.
Meanwhile, 11 more cases of Covid–19 were reported in Kerala on Saturday even as the total number of persons who contracted the infection in the state crossed the 300 mark.
Of the 11 cases, six were reported from Kasargod and one each from Kannur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam and Palakkad respectively.
Five of the infected persons came from Dubai, three are those who returned after attending Tabligi conference in Nizamuddin and rest through local contact.
So far, 306 persons have contracted Covid–19 in the state. Of these the total number of active cases are 254. Two persons had succumbed to the infection recently.
As many as 50 persons have been successfully treated and discharged from hospitals.
As on Saturday 1.71 persons are under surveillance of which 1.70 are under home quarantine and 754 in hospitals. Of the 9,744 samples sent for tests so far 8,586 samples have been found negative.
State Police Chief Loknath Behara said strict action would be taken against those spreading fake news. Those caught posting fake news more than twice will have their pictures published in news papers and aired on TV channels.