Vehicles Movement Ban Day-2! ‘Namma Janarige Yestu Helidaru Bashe Ella’ -Traffic Sub Inspector
Mangaluru: “Saar, I am delivering medicines”; “I am a delivery person for parcel service at a restaurant”; “I work at the hospital, Sir”; ” I am a care taker for a elderly person’; etc etc-these are the few reasons, but some excuses, people try to give to the cops when they were caught riding or driving in the City, when they were not suppose to, as per the orders given by Minister in charge, DC and Police Commissioner- but when they ignore such orders, they have to face the consequences dealing with the cops. And when they failed to produce any proof/documents/pass to support their reasons, the cops simply seized their vehicles. No question asked?
The district minister in-charge Kota Srinivas Poojary in his video message on 2 April had announced that all the private vehicles are banned from April 3 to 14. The district administration has taken all the necessary measures to stop the virus from spreading further. In his video message, He had said, “All private vehicles are banned. Only the vehicles with permission are allowed to move on the road. We have found many people unnecessarily moving around in the city during this critical time. I urge the public to fully co-operate in our fight against COVID-19. In the last 2 days, no positive COVID cases were registered in DK. From April 2, we are distributing rice to 2.71 lakh BPL families. I request those who receive a call from the fair price shop should collect the rice. I also urge the shop owners to deliver the rice to the BPL cardholders to avoid the rush at their premises”.
He had also said, “People should not panic as we have enough essentials supplies which they can avail from 7 am to 12 noon. People should always maintain social distancing. Everyone should cooperate with the Asha workers when they come to your houses. Instructions have been given to take strict action against anyone taking the law into their hands and abuse the Asha workers, doctors, nurses or the police. Prime minister Modi has requested everyone to join hands to eliminate COVID-19 from our country”. But unfortunately, in spite of the ban enforced, there are a bunch of ignorant people who with no reasons ride or drive around, and get caught red handed by traffic cops.
Commotion between police and motorists near Valencia Circle at 10 am this morning
Despite the warning given by Police Commissioner that whosoever violates the order, their vehicles will be seized- but quite a few of our Covidiots having paid no heed to the police commissioner’s warning, and who were out there on the streets in their vehicles were crack downed by the cops- and on 3 April nearly 175 vehicles were seized and alter released after certain procedures and stern warnings. On 2 April nearly 155 vehicles were seized by cops. But this news didn’t bring change in people, since even this morning (4 April) there ware quite a few cars and two-wheelers moving around, until the police started to stop them around 8 am or so.
Earlier, the police commissioner had twitted as to who are exempted from such ban. His tweet message read- “Bank employees on official duty will be allowed to use a private vehicle from home to office and vice versa on the production of official id cards as they have been declared as essential services. Doctors, nurses, paramedics, hospital administrators will be allowed to go in their private vehicle during their transit from home to the place of work. Media fraternity will be allowed if they have a valid pass issued by Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) “.
This morning the cops cracked down on violators as early as 8 am, and they were seen at important junctions in the City- and many were caught with no passes/permits, and their vehicles were seized. Meanwhile, at around 10 am, there was a commotion between a lady cop/male cop and a pretty large crowd motorists on they being stopped by the cops- but not heeding to peoples’ arguments the cops managed to seize their vehicles, but after a while the vehicles were released with licence plate numbers noted down, and issuing them strict warning not to be on the road until 14 April.
FOLLOWING ARE THE VEHICLES SEIZED BY COPS TODAY
In the meantime, Team Mangalorean spoke to a few citizens who were on a shopping spree in the morning, as to what’s their opinion on vehicle ban imposed by the district admin and cops. Suresh, a bank employee said, “Many people need vehicles to go shopping to buy their commodities. This is ridiculous to have such a ban, which doesn’t make any sense. They should have thought of a better plan to contain Covid-19, than stop movement of vehicles”. Ms Malini K, a housewife said, “The police commissioner has said in case of emergency to call ambulances, but we know how 108 ambulance service works. People may die waiting for 108 services. Instead of fully depend on ambulance service, it would be nice if the dist admin allows private vehicles, in the case of accident, or other serious illnesses which need quick attention. Depending on any ambulance is sometimes a risky affair, since they don’t follow time”.
Norman Pinto said “The district administration has allowed Bank employees to go to work with permit, but what is the use of banks being open, when they don’t allow people to drive or ride. Not all banks are walking distance of bank customers. They need to think it over and revise the present vehicle ban, and come up with something more sensible and effective for all, the bank and their clients. Seniors won’t be able to hire a auto or take a ride with someone with the present order from police dept”. These are among quite a few other complaints that Team Mangalorean heard from citizens, which the admin should take into consideration and do certain changes in order to facilitate everyone.
So until, a new announcement comes from the district minister-in-charge, DC, and Police Commissioner this evening or night, keep your fingers crossed and pray for something better and useful relaxed rule comes for tomorrow, being a lazy and fun Sunday.
