Mixed response to strict lockdown on Day 1; 30,000 fined for violations
Police keep vigil in all cities; many people found flouting norms in vegetable markets, grocery shops
KOTA/ UDAIPUR/ JODHPUR/ BARMER/ ALWAR: A mixed response to the strict lockdown was witnessed on the Day 1 in the state, with police maintaining strictness in most districts but crowds of people gathering in vegetable markets and grocery shops during the permitted time flouting Covid protocols, according ground reports received.
Rajasthan went into strict lockdown from May 10 to May 24 amid rising coronavirus cases.restrictions came into force at 5 am on Monday, and will continue till 5 am of May 24. Only essential services are allowed during this period, according to a government order.
Lockdown restrictions were already there in the state but the state government on last Thursday decided to make it more stringent.
Markets and residential colonies wore deserted look due to police strictness in most cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Bharatpur, Alwar, and Barmer.
Vegetable mandi, grocery shops, and shops on food products and dairy products were allowed to remain open from 6 am to 11 am. Wedding ceremonies have been permitted only at residences with maximum 11 guests with no wedding bands, tents or catering services.
People roaming without any reason on the road were sent to quarantine centres.
Additional director general of police, law and order, Saurabh Shrivastava said police have started enforcing compliance to the strict lockdown, prohibiting public congregations and movements after noon.
“Public and private transportation within the city and intercity transportation were not allowed on the Day 1 of strict lockdown. All religious places were shut to preven public gatherings. Wedding ceremonies were not allowed,” he said.
About the police action in the last 24 hours, Shrivastava said 30,731 challans were issued for violations of Covid-19 protocols. Also, nearly 7,000 challans of vehicles were made in last 24 hours for making movement despite restrictions. A total of 13,000 people have been sent to quarantine centres as punishment for roaming during the
Public and private transportation within the city and intercity transportation were not allowed on the Day 1 of strict lockdown. All religious places were shut to preven public gatherings... SAURABH SHRIVASTAVA, additional director general of police, law and order
lockdown without any reason.
Crowds of people were seen at vegetable mandis and grocery stores across in Jaipur, Kota, Udaipur, Barmer and other cities. Roads remained empty with no movement of vehicles as the administration focused on the strict implementation of Covid-19 guidelines.
Police teams were deployed on all major circles in Udaipur and check posts in the district. Personnel of Reserve Police Force (RPF) were deployed at all borders of Udaipur.
Police teams were seen taking rounds in their respective areas. Udaipur district collector Chetan Deora and superintendent of police Rajeev Pachar monitored implementation of the lockdown.
In Barmer, police personnel were deployed at almost all public places to prevent unnecessary public movements. Many people seen roaming on the roads and sitting outside their shops. Police caught people violating the norms.
At many places people were seen arguing with police to allow their labourers but police refused while directing them to produce transit pass.
In Alwar, fewer people were seen on the roads with their vehicles because of police strictness.
About gatherings in vegetable mandis and grocery shops in permitted time slot, Shrivastava said, “We are trying are best to contain gatherings in mandi and shops in the permitted time, but there are some lapses. We will make more efforts to check gatherings.”
(With inputs from Sohail Khan in Udaipur, Dinesh Bothra from Jodhpur, Mukesh Mathrani in Barmer and Devendra Bharadwaj in Alwar)