Police act tough, enforce total lockdown in UP's Prayagraj

PRAYAGRAJ: The police on Tuesday enforced the lockdown strictly and chased away people coming out of their houses in Old City area.
On Tuesday morning the police got an information that some persons were roaming in different city areas on the pretext of distributing food packets among the homeless and migrants. Seeing this, the police fixed the timing from 12 noon to 2 pm for the distribution of food packets and relief materials among the needy.From now on social workers and voluntary organisations, willing to distribute food packets among the needy, would have to contact police stations in their respective areas to seek their permission. The police have also issued helpline numbers 9454701045 and 8299229797 to assist social workers and organisations involved in the charity work.
Talking to TOI, SSP, Prayagraj, Satyarth Anirudh Pankaj said that “no one would be allowed to distribute food packets without prior permission and violators would be dealt with strictly”. He further said that the distribution of food packets would be done at a particular spot and those involved in this work would have to wear masks and gloves. They should also have sanitizers with them and maintain a proper social distancing, he added.
On Tuesday, the police lodged FIRs against vendors, identified as Vijay Kumar and Tinkoo, in Mutthiganj area on the charges of selling ‘paan’ and tobacco products during the lockdown. The state government has already restricted the sale and manufacture of ‘paan’ and ‘gutkha’.
The SSP said that additional police forces were deployed at strategic locations in the district to enforce the lockdown strictly. Over 12 people were booked on the charges of violating the lockdown norms in the city. The police sealed inter-state borders and vehicles, barring those transporting essential commodities, were not allowed to enter the district. The SSP added that policemen deployed on the district borders have been directed not to allow anybody enter the city.
On Tuesday, streets of the city were wearing a deserted look. Additional mobile police pickets were deployed in Rajapur, Ashok Nagar, Civil Lines, Khuldabad, Mutthiganj, Ram Bagh, Kareli, Dhoomanganj and adjoining areas. Only vegetable and milk vendors were allowed to move in city localities between 7am and 10am. Police teams were spotted marching in narrow lanes and bylanes directing people to remain indoors.
On Monday night, the movement of migrant workers in small groups was seen in border areas, but the police did not allow them to enter the city.
Meanwhile, district authorities have appealed to people to lodge their complaints with control room if they come across any shopkeeper indulging in blackmarketing of essential commodities.