Cops Crackdown on Motorists being on Streets Past 12.30 pm as Banned by Police Commissioner
Cops Crackdown on Motorists being on Streets Past 12.30 pm as Banned by Police Commissioner. 154 vehicles have been seized toady for violating the order
Mangaluru: While the City is still under lockdown, and also that the govt and district administration have issued certain guidelines in order to contain Covid-19, but a bunch of people are still ignorant who abuse the guidelines, especially not following social distancing during shopping- and the worst part is that there are quite a few motorists on streets unnecessary riding or driving, in spite of instructions from the govt and admin to stay home after the shopping time between 7 am to 12 noon ends. But in order to crack down on such violators the Police Commissioner Dr P S Harsha had made an announcement where he had said-
“Vehicular movement will be completely banned on the roads in the district with effect from 12.30 pm on Thursday, 2 April. In case of medical emergencies, people should avail of ambulance service, and I request everyone to cooperate with us. Make use of the time allowed for provision and vegetable stores every day from 7 am to 12 noon, and after that remain home and stay safe”. This move was carried out to curb the unnecessary movement of private vehicles on road even after issuing several warnings to step out only during emergencies.
But after Police Commissioner had made the above announcement there was slight confusion between health care personnel, media personnel and other employees on emergency service, whether they are exempted from the ban or not- so in response, the Police Commissioner made it cleared tweeting that -“Ban on private vehicles is not applicable for medicos, media and other staff on emergency services. Under this new development, in the event of medical emergencies, people should avail the use of an ambulance or the admin will provide one if you call. Health workers, doctors, nurses, paramedics, hospital administrators will be allowed to commute in private vehicles from their home to the workplace. And for the media, if they produce a valid pass issued by the Department of Information and Public Relations, they will be allowed”.
But for those motorists who were not aware of the new rule from the Police Commissioner, were surprised when they were stopped by the traffic cops, and action taken against them, when they were not able to provide a certified pass or other documents allowed to perform their duties, during lockdown. Traffic cops were ready near Jyothi Circle, Kankanady, and other important City junctions, right in time before 12.30 pm, and a bunch of few unlucky motorists had to face the consequences with the cops, for disobeying the PC’s orders. As per the latest report from the police commissionerate, 154 vehicles have been seized since 12.30 pm until evening.
When these motorists were caught for violating the rules, they were not fined-instead the cop would ride their two-wheeler and take the rider home, and then seize the vehicle, which would be released to the owner in a later time-probably in few days or after lockdown ends on 14 April- exact details on this Team Mangalorean will update later. It is learnt that in Bengaluru nearly 6K plus vehicles had been seized for violating police orders, and the Chief of Police of Bengaluru City had stressed that citizens should make it a habit of walking to the grocery stores/supermarkets rather than driving or riding for purchases and also not to visit shops frequently.
In conclusion, the funny part is that, Team Mangalorean noticed that the traffic cops were in full swing between 12.30 pm until the next couple of hours- and after that there were no cops, and the vehicles are plying on the streets with no one to stop them-and that shows how the system works. We have seen it in the past and seeing it now and will see it in future too. Oh well!