Taken by surprise, some get into argument with police

The city police action of making e-pass mandatory for movement between police station limits after 10 am met with widespread criticism as the public were largely unaware of the decision, which led to traffic snarls and argument with the police.

“I didn’t know about this e-pass within the city till police stopped me. I told them that I’m going to give medicines to an elderly COVID patient who is home quarantined. But they didn’t allow me without an e-pass. So I applied from Mylapore to Teynampet under the elderly care category by providing basic details, and prescription of that patient. Within 15 minutes, the e-pass was generated,” said S Pazhani, a volunteer who helps elderly COVID patients in the city.

He added that it is difficult to register for more than six volunteers every day, as they distribute medicines and food to COVID patients who are home quarantined. “We are also planning to get a permission letter from our zonal official instead of an e-pass,” Palani said.

Many roads witnessed traffic congestion with those who were unaware of the e-pass decision getting into argument with the police. Some who were armed with a letter from their companies were also not allowed to cross the limits.

“I was going for an interview to Kodambakkam and only in the morning, I came to know about the e-registration. I tried to get a permission letter from the company, as there was no category mentioned for this in the e-registration. But, the police at the Washermenpet checkpoint didn’t allow me even after seeing the letter, and I was sent back home. Now, my interview has been postponed,” said Srikanth M, a resident of Old Washermenpet.

Commenting on the same, Sathyabalan V, a social activist said: “If the State government brings in more restrictions in the city, the COVID cases might decrease, and people can avoid going out unnecessarily. They should follow the time restrictions to buy essential things. And if this e-pass within the city continues for a few days, definitely we might see COVID cases coming down.”