Surging crowd in Kovai’s biz hubs throws caution to wind
COIMBATORE: All major shopping hubs in Coimbatore wore a festive look with huge crowds as Deepavali is nearing.
Flying squads of the Corporation and police had a tough time appealing to shops to restrict customers to maintain social distancing as crowd surge in evening in the commercial areas like Ukkadam and Gandhipuram.
The civic body has formed 20 flying squads to monitor and ensure that public and shopkeepers follow COVID-19 norms. Despite constant announcement through loudspeakers, the shopping frenzy crowd appeared least concerned in adhering to the guidelines like wearing masks and ensuring social distancing.
Meanwhile, police have also set up watch towers at intersections to monitor the crowd and keep a watch on thieves. Following multiple complaints from the public on the nuisance from shopkeepers, the police picked up as many as 20 sales staff from shops found blocking the way of public and forcing them to visit their shops. There was some objection from traders to the police crackdown. The arrested persons were then let off on station bail.
In another development, Ukkadam police arrested four persons on charges of attempting to escape after snatching mobile phone of an elderly person in the crowd.
The accused identified as
Muthu Muhammed, 38, Guna alias Gunasekaran, 63, Zubair, 35 and Naveen, 28, all hailing from different areas in Coimbatore, took to their heels after snatching away a mobile phone from an elderly person on Big Bazaar Street.
However, the police, who were on duty managed to nab them with the help of the public. Inquiries revealed that they were festive thieves and were operating as a gang in crowded localities over the last few days.