Excuses galore to escape curfew
NEW DELHI: Going to get groceries, relative’s place and bank were among some of the popular pretexts under which Delhiites tried to go outdoors, according to the testament of several Delhi Police officials on duty enforcing the curfew in the Capital. Amid lockdown, the Delhi Police has arranged for the arrested criminals to be produced before Magistrates inside prisons.
On day 2 of the lockdown, many people were seen roaming on streets, throwing caution to the wind. The city police was stopping them but they were giving self-declarations about going to buy medicines and other essential commodities. “One of the people I stopped was carrying a chequebook and he told me that he was going to the bank,” a Delhi Police official said.
A traffic officer said that some residents, after being stopped on roads, told him that their relatives live alone so they are going to meet them. “Few people were also found unaware of essential goods and services which were allowed during the lockdown. A man whom I stopped told me that he was going to his child’s school. I told him that all schools are closed,” another officer said, adding that some people also told him that they were going to the DCP’S office to get curfew passes.
Another policeman said that when he stopped a few people who were on different vehicles and asked them about driving vehicles during the lockdown. They replied that they were injured and not able to walk so they were going to chemists or grocery shops to buy essential commodities.
“People are giving self-declaration that they are going to shops where they can purchase essential goods,” he said. Policemen are also not denying the possibilities that they might be telling lies and going somewhere else. According to police, on the first day of the lockdown, there was chaos in bordering areas as many people were unaware of it.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Western Range) Shalini Singh said that the lockdown is for the safety of the people.”people can help us by staying home and remaining healthy,” she said. Meanwhile, Delhi Police PRO Mandeep Singh Randhawa said that they are urging people to stay inside. “Compared to Monday, there are less people on the streets on Tuesday,” he said.
Meanwhile, after arresting criminals, the Delhi Police is producing them before Magistrates inside prisons. According to an order from the Office of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Judicial Officer shall hold their Courts at Central Jail (Tihar), Rohini Jail and Mandoli Jail.
“If any officers happen to be on leave or otherwise not available, his or her link Magistrate (as per link roster of the concerned district) shall hold the Court at concerned jail on dates mentioned in the order (March 17 to March 31),” reads the order. It further reads the concerned jail superintendent shall ensure complete sanitation of the area where the jail duty is to be performed.