Safe but just a little anxious in containment zones
LUCKNOW: Anxiety is a constant and unwelcome companion for some residents of containment zones in Lucknow.
The residents keep worrying about how many more days they will have to remain inside their homes although they are safe and protected in such areas now that hard curbs have been imposed.
Also described as hotspots, these areas have been sealed as multiple cases of Covid-19 were detected here. The state capital has 12 such containment zones where police personnel have been deployed to implement a stricter version of the lockdown.
“Our area was sealed on Thursday. We remain indoors and only go out to buy vegetables or milk from a government van,” says Surendra Kumar, resident of Indiranagar’s Sector 16, part of which is a containment zone. “We only worry about the duration of this containment and whether it will be extended further,” he adds.
Government vehicles supply essential items to people at their doorstep in some areas like Vijaykhand in Gomtinagar.
However, in Sadar’s Kasaibada locality, residents say they have to walk up to police barricades to get the items of daily need.
“Police personnel are generally cooperative but some of them keep shouting directions at us,” says Fatima Khan, a 49-year-old homemaker of the locality. Kasaibada has five roads leading to the locality, all of which have been sealed.
Beside vegetable and other food items, the administration has also made arrangements to supply medicines in the area.
Residents in some old lucknow localities complained of harassment.
Denying the allegation, police officials say people in containment areas are being taken care of properly.
Local police teams have been asked to remain in touch with residents. Police have made WhatsApp groups of residents in some areas, where they can post anything they want to share or list the essential items they require.
ACP Cantt Beenu Singh says, “We are in touch with residents living in the containment areas. They are getting regular supplies of essential items. If anyone faces any trouble, they can contact us directly over phone. I have not received any complaint from the residents yet.”