Shoppers flock early to Charminar area Police enforce strict rules, check every vehicle passing by

In an unprecedented scene, there was a shopping frenzy around Charminar very early in the morning. Shops were shut down after 10 am and the city police erected barricades at several places and vehicles were checked. Only those exempted from lockdown restrictions were allowed to move around.

With Eid round the corner, and many of those who missed out on Ramzan shopping rushed to retailers dealing in garments, hosieries and shoes. It was a rather unusual sight as even during the Holy month, shops in and around Charminar open only after 11 am. On Wednesday, shopkeepers welcomed customers at 6 am on the first day of the lockdown.

Supermarkets, medical shops, kirana stores, vegetable markets and pan shops witnessed a huge rush of people during the four-hour relaxation period.

Within no time, the busy markets went under zero mobility as all shops and establishments downed their shutters and people were seen rushing back home.

The lockdown restrictions got harsher after 11 am as police sealed

important roads and erected barricades at many places in the Old City to check unnecessary movement of people. Many vehicles were seized for violating lockdown norms. Unlike last year, this time fruit vendors were not allowed to do business before Iftar time.

Hyderabad City Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar visited the Old

City and reviewed arrangements with the senior officers.

Speaking to the media near Charminar he said that as per government’s circular only 40 persons will be allowed for weddings and only 20 to perform last rites.

He said that senior police officials, including ACPS and DCPs, will oversee implementation of lockdown enforcement

orders at important check-posts right from 10 am.

He said that compared to other cities, the pandemic situation in Hyderabad was marginally better. However, to contain it, the state government has imposed a lockdown of 10 days in the larger interests of the general public and to reduce fatalities and spread of the virus.

— S. SURENDER REDDY People shop for Id-ul-Fitr before the lockdown kicks in at 10 am on Wednesday. It was unusual to see shoppers early in the morning in Charminar.