Karnataka / Bengaluru : Bengaluru police ready to implement Corona Curfew,Police Commissioner Kamal Pant Warns of strict action if Covid guidelines are violated
Pramesh S Jain. Yogesh K Porwar
Following the video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday had announced the curfew between 10 pm to 5 am in seven district centres of the state along with Manipal, from April 10 to 20, aimed at controlling the spread of Covid-19.
The Karnataka government on Friday issued revised guidelines for night curfew as Corona Curfew which would enforced in seven districts headquarters including Bengaluru and Mysuru,between 10 pm and 5 am from April 10 to 20.
The new guidelines though allowed only essential services during the Corona curfew and employees working in night shift in industries must reach the place of work before 10 pm.
It banned movement of people and non-essential activities.
Chief Secretary,P Ravi Kumar in his order,said that curfew will be imposed in urban areas of Bengaluru,Mysuru,Bidar,Kalaburagi,Mangaluru,Udupi-Manipal and Tumkuru.These cities are witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases in the last few days.
The order said only those who have health issues and their attendants will be allowed to travel.It permitted movement of goods vehicles,empty vehicles,home delivery,and e-commerce vehicles.
Employees working in night shifts in industries must reach the site/place of work before 10 pm. Only medical services and emergency services are allowed and other economic activities restricted.
Those who are travelling during curfew period from railway station,bus-stand or flight must produce their tickets as proof of their travel,the order said.
The order instructed the BBBMP Commissioner and the Bengaluru City police commissioner,Deputy commissioners and superintendent of police of relevant districts to implement Corona curfew strictly to contain free movement.
Following the order, the police department has geared up for the strict enforcement of the curfew.
A high value meeting was conducted by Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Kamal Pant at his office with all the Addl CPs,Joint CPs, DCPs,and other officer were present after the meeting Kamal Pant told reporters here,Security has been hightened and patrolling intensitied to ensure guidelines are followed.He said I have instructed police officials to take strict action against those who violate the guidelines.
Pant,who also issued prohibitory orders for the night curfew under section 144(1) of the CrPC, said the police will block the roads in the city to curb movement.He said that commercial establishments (like bars and pubs,which are open till late in the night),will have to ensure that the shops are shut and employees also reach home before 10 pm.
If any shops are kept open during the curfew hours,legal action will be initiated against the management.We will also seize vehicles and book individuals who are found moving around for non-essential activities,Pant warned,advising people to carry valid proof if they have to step out of the house during the curfew hours.
Those who violate the instructions will be prosecuted under provisions of the Disaster Management Act 2005, Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act 2020,and section 188 of the IPC he added.
